Sunderland U10s Pile on the Pressure at Darlington Festival

Sunderland were drawn against Bishop Auckland, Middlesborough B and Billingham in their group.

First up was Bishop Auckland - the game started tight but great perseverance by Dev Koca put Sunderland ahead. Half time score 1-0
A lovely pass from Luke Newby gave Dean Edmundson the ball who sidestepped with a beautiful dummy to score Sunderland’s second try. Solid defending kept bishop at bay and the game finished 2-0.

The second game was the key game v Billingham. The game started at a very high tempo and Sunderland had to defend their line consistently to keep them out. Newby, Koca and Ty Hanlon made some great hits maintaining a 0-0 half time score.

Second half was very much the same and again Newby made a brilliant tackle to keep Billingham at bay. Both sides played excellently, it was a very well fought game which finished 0-0 but entertaining all the same.

The 3rd game saw them up against Middlesbrough B and Sunderland knew they had to score a minimum of 6 tries. Fletcher Jackson opened the scoring with a great solo try and then doubled the lead after a lovely offload from Ben Hutchinson. It was Hutchinson who then added a great try to make it 3-0 at half time.

Jackson sped round the out side to get his hatrick and make it 4-0. And a great run by Hutchinson who took off to make it 5-0 was quickly followed by another for Jackson to make it 6-0. Great ripping from Aidan Wayman won the ball passing it on to Reece Thompson and with great hands another pass out to Edmundson who sidestepped brilliantly once again to finish the score at 7-0.

An excellent display from the boys but to determine whether they would go through to the semi final they needed to wait for the result of the final game between Billingham and Bishop Auckland. Billingham ran out 5-0 winners and edged Sunderland out on points scored. Such a cruel way to go out but a valiant display from Sunderland.

Report by Gary Jackson

Note from Lead Coach Stu Hutchinson:
Well done today boys! You need to know just how close we were. Billingham won their semi-final 4-0 and then beat Egremont 3-2 in the final. We were the only side they didn’t beat! Next time it will be us!!! Stu