The Boars travelling with 17 man to Whitley Bay Rangers had a good start to the game with Ian Ashman taking a good line in his own 10 meters line and beating 3 defenders on to see #fat10 Gary Shepherd knock the next phase on, however that didn’t slow the attacking play down, 2 minutes later Dan Turnbull picked from the back of a scrum, offloaded to #fat10 (who actually caught one) who then offloaded to Lee Bainbridge who hit a fantastic line and ran in for the first try of the afternoon – Dan Turnbull converted 7 - 0.

There was a spell of 6-8 minutes of general play with kicks, lineouts, scrums etc. On 13 minutes the forwards secured a line out which was quickly worked to the backs who all used some good hands to put the winger Ben Lane in for his first of the afternoon- Dan Turnbull converted 14 – 0.

Tactical substitution was made bring Paul Ridley on and Matty Carruthers off - #fat10 oved to 9, shortly afterwards Houghton’s line out on their own 5 metre line went off the top only to see Gary Shepherd knock on (again) Houghton’s pack pulled it out of the bag and won the scrum against the head which was then cleared with a kick up field into touch.

On 26 minutes Gary Shepherd broke through the defensive line and ran into the opposition 22 but delayed the pass too long to James McKiegan and Dan Turnbull on the outside – Dan Turnbull in a moment of petulance kicked the ball over the fence (which he was later voted DOTD for hahahah)

Throughout this half the Boars centres James McKiegan and Lee Bainbridge were punching holes all over the pitch with some strong running lines, the next try was a good piece of interplay, Ian Ashman broke through the middle and off loaded to Dan Turnbull and looped around him, Dan Turnbull then popped a Sonny Bill pass back to Ian Ashman who finishes off his own move with a try –Dan Turnbull converts 21 – 0.

Now 34 minutes into the half Rangers seemed to wake up a little and their big runner at 13 broke the line in the outside channel, a difficult one on one tackle missed by David Cummings as he was on the back foot – Rangers score and convert 21-7.

37 minutes and after some good phases from Ranger the Boars are given a team warning for high tackling

38 minutes Glen Crowther made what seemed like a decent tackle only for the referee to give him a yellow for a high tackle – Boars down to 14.

This angered the Boars who had time to run one more try in before half time, James Mckiegan once again broke the line again after ripping a ball from the opposition after defending a penalty, he then ran past the Boars 22, past half way, he’s still going, into the opposition 22 and offloaded to Lee Bainbridge who then had the support of Chris Gowland who ran in for the try – Brilliant support play from the backs, Dan Turnbull converted 28 – 7.

Matt Carruthers came back on at 9, Gary Shepherd moves to Flanker, Josh Hawkins on for Gav Clarke. The second half started, with a very suspect refereeing decision, a Rangers player in midfield ran a line at Lee Bainbridge and ducked into the tackle, Lee Smashed him into next week and was subsequently given a yellow card – Boars down to 13 men.

Rangers flanker who has been their best player breaks the line and scores in the corner – missed conversion – 28 - 12

Paul Ridley made some space for himself with a brilliant chip and chase and then offloaded to Richard Lydiatt to set the next phase up, Boars trying to keep possession in tight whilst down to 13 men.

The next passage of play saw the Boars mishandle their own line out on their 5 metres line, the ball bobbles over the try line Matty Carruthers puts the ball down for a 5 metres scrum and then a Rangers player dives onto the ball and screams for a try, the referee clearly feeling that reducing the Boars numbers to 13 wasn’t enough, gave the try – bizarre, Rangers miss the conversion 28 – 17.

The Boars eventually get back up to a full complement of 15 players after defending resolutely and not conceding any further points. Lee Bainbridge having just come back on from a yellow for a high tackle hits a good tackle which KO’s the Rangers player, not dangerous, not high, not anything, Rangers players try to impact the referee’s decision which was that it was a good tackle (good decision for once) .

Matty Carruthers manages to get over the line for a try however the referee took it back for a knock on by a forward before Matty got the ball, shortly after this on 62 minutes Rangers hit a high tackle, Houghton go quick and spin the ball wide to the opposite side of the pitch with some good hands, Josh Hawkins see’s the gap is back inside and offloads to the oncoming Ethan Forrester who goes over for a try – conversion missed 33 – 17.

7 minutes later Josh Hawkins again sees a gap and goes through it to run half a pitch and score a great solo try – Paul Ridley converted 40 – 17.

On 74 minutes the Boars have a lineout 10 metres out, the ball is won, goes to the backs who put it through the hands for Ben Lane the flying winger to get his 2nd try of the afternoon in the corner after out pacing the defence on the outside – Missed conversion 45 – 17.

On 77 minutes Lee Bainbridge with a maizey run through a very tired Rangers defence sees him go over for his 2nd of the afternoon – Paul Ridley converted 52 – 17.

78 minutes Ben lane wasn’t happy with just 2 tries and took it upon himself to get his hat trick (still needs to buy a jug hahah) – Ball is kicked off by Rangers after Lee’s try – Ben Lane catches in his own 22 and proceeds on a 87.3 metre solo run past players whose hearts have clearly gone and scores, Matty Carruthers with a drop goal for the conversion 59 – 17.

80 minutes and the Boars aren’t finished!! Dan Turnbull breaks in the middle of the pitch and offloads to Ethan Forrester for his 2nd try of the afternoon, conversion missed – 64 – 17.

Man of the match was James Mckiegan whose direct running particularly in the first half was a sight to see.