Stallions’ best performance of season is praised (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Stallions’ best performance of season is praised

11:07am Friday 3rd July 2009

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Winlaton Warriors 18 Northallerton Stallions 38

NORTHALLERTON Stallions returned from Axwell Park with the two competition points after a solid performance against Winlaton Warriors on Saturday.

In what head coach Steve Worsnop hailed as the best team performance of the season, the Stallions ran out 38-18 winners.

The visitors opened the scoring after just a minute when hooker Matt Lambert- Cluderay scored from close range, but Johnson was unable to add the extras.

Six minutes later, Warriors dropped the ball on the Stallions’ 20 and captain Lee Worsnop scooped up the loose ball and raced 80 metres, just outpacing the home defence to touch down.

Man of the match Don Payne made an excellent break from the next set, before feeding livewire hooker Lambert-Cluderay, who finished well for his second of the afternoon.

With both conversion attempts sailing wide, Northallerton held a 12- point lead before a length of the field effort from the Warriors full-back brought the scores to 12-6.

Stallions dominated the lead up to the interval and an outrageous dummy and a trademark interception brought two tries for scrum half Rob Johnson, the first converted by Payne to send the Stallions in 22-6 ahead at the break.

A home try opened up the second half scoring before Johnson nipped in for his hat-trick try – again converted by Payne. The middle section of the half saw some exciting play from both sides and two Winlaton tries separated by a debut score from Stallions’ James Robson.

The game ended with some great approach work from full back Tommy Greaves which set up Lee Worsnop’s second score of the afternoon, giving the visitors a 38-18 victory which cemented their fourth place in the table, just one point adrift of Newcastle Knights.

Worsnop was pleased with most aspects of the performance. He said: “Although we have played better in spells throughout this season, I think this was our best collective performance and also included some individual bests as well.

“We still have much to work on if we are to compete with the teams above us but today we started to put together some consistent plays and apart from a few lapses our defensive structure looked better than it has in other outings.”

This weekend the Stallions take a break from league action when they travel to Heworth to compete in the York Nines.

The battle for league points resumes on Saturday, July 11, when unbeaten league leaders Jarrow Vikings visit Brompton Lodge.

After the game, the club will be holding a fundraising race night at the Standard in Northallerton High Street.

A donation from the proceeds will go to the Standard’s adopted charities fund.

For more information on the Stallions or the race night contact Steve on 07786-360079.

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