Students prove too hard a test for Ashington in an exciting game at the Recreation Ground

Ashington were beaten by the league leaders Durham University.Ashington were beaten by the league leaders Durham University.
Ashington were beaten by the league leaders Durham University.
Ashington were beaten at home by the league leaders Durham University, who posed them their toughest challenge of the season so far.

Ashington dominated for long periods in an exciting and fast-paced game, but Durham defended well, always looked dangerous with the ball in hand and finished strongly against a tiring home team.

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The visitors took an early lead after fast hands saw the students create space out wide for Daniel Hindle to score.

The Ashington forwards started to dominate the scrums and a strong Jordan Webster run set up a good attack, ending when winger Jeremy Oboh was tackled into touch five metres out.

After a period of sustained Ashington pressure, centre Tyler Hepple crashed over from a close in ruck.

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Four minutes later, the students retook the lead with a well-taken converted try.

The visitors attacked again from the restart, but a good Hepple clearance kick and then a crunching Joseph Fearns tackle kept them out.

A typical Greg Henderson barging run then set up a good attacking position, before fly half Oliver Snary cut back inside to score, Hepple adding the conversion to give a 12-12 half-time score.

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The home team dominated for long periods during the next 25 minutes but had to settle for two Hepple penalties, with great defending by the students keeping Ashington at bay.

On 66 minutes two missed tackles saw the students take an 18-19 lead.

The visitors added two late tries against a tiring home team to maintain their place at the top of the table and extend their unbeaten run.

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The final score, 18-31, flattered the students, but they always looked dangerous and finished the stronger of the two teams.

Ashington can take a lot of heart from an excellent 70 minutes and can still have an excellent season if they continue to play like this.

Hepple was named as the home team’s man of the match.

Ashington seconds had a magnificent 43-3 win against Ryton seconds and are on course for their highest ever Candy league finishing position.

Ashington firsts are away to Whitley Bay Rockcliff in the County Shield on Saturday.

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