 Team Northumbria proved last season's promotion was fully deserved after kicking off their debut North One East campaign with a thumping win in Carlisle. The hosts were humbled 41-19 as the league's new boys picked up a bonus-point win to start the new campaign in style. And delighted rugby chief Steve Bates said: "It was a great performance. The boys were up against a big pack but they stayed strong and played some good rugby. |
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 Team Northumbria finally tackle life in North One East this weekend as the new club rugby season takes centre stage. Steve Bates and head coach Nick Gandy lead a new-look side into action at Carlisle following three successive promotions under Richard Arnold. And former Newcastle Falcons chief Bates admits his squad are facing a trip into the unknown. "I've never been to Carlisle and we don't know what to expect," he said. "But we go there full of confidence and with victory in mind. "We had a good friendly victory last weekend and while there's still a long way to go a lot of good things have happened in the last few weeks." |
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New Rugby Consultant Steve Bates has called on the Northumbria rugby community to pull together as he puts the finishing touches to this summer's pre-season programme. The former Newcastle Falcons Director Of Rugby is gearing up to Team Northumbria's North One East debut - with an away trip to Carlisle ushering in a brave new era for a club on the the up. And Bates will join Roger Uttley, Stuart Grimes and Northumbria's new head coach in leading a two-week training camp ahead of September's Carlisle clash. "Preparations for the new season are in full flow and the pre-season programme will culminate in a two-week training camp at the newly refurbished Bullocksteads from August 21 - September 4," said Bates. "Every player who represented the University at 1st or 2nd XV level last season is invited to the camp to work on individual, unit and team skills and to put the final touches to their pre-season fitness work." TN won a third successive promotion with a playoff win against Sheffield earlier this year to seal their place in North One East. Further details on next month's training camp and rugby recruitment are available by emailing Heather Steel at
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TEAM NORTHUMBRIA 34 SHEFFIELD 13
Team Northumbria’s fairytale rise through the local rugby ranks continues after the university club bagged a place in North One East.
Richard Arnold’s men made it three promotions in as many seasons as a league outfit.
But a 21-point win against Yorkshire One battlers Sheffield was far tougher than the scoreline suggests.
Durham & Northumberland Division One runners-up TN played with the wind in their favour from kick-off at a typically blustery Bullocksteads.
But it was Sheffield who drew first blood when winger Alistair Womack crossed for the game’s opening try in the eighth minute. |
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| HISTORIC HAT-TRICK IN SIGHT |
 One of Tyneside’s most ambitious rugby clubs tackles its date with destiny tomorrow (Saturday) as Team Northumbria go in search of an historic hat-trick.
Richard Arnold’s men only joined the Durham & Northumberland League in 2007 but successive promotions have followed.
And now TN bid to make it three in a row by beating Sheffield in this weekend’s winner-takes-all playoff showdown.
“Each season for the past three years has been more difficult and another step up but we’ve done all we can,” said TN’s head coach Richard Arnold.
“I know Sheffield have got a big pack and they boast two ex-Premiership players in their ranks. |
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 Team Northumbria face Sheffield on Saturday in a winner-takes-all Kingston Park showdown. Richard Arnold's rugby heroes were pipped at the post in the race for automatic promotion as long-time leaders Northern beat Alnwick to claim the Durham & Northumberland League's first division title. But TN are still on course to claim an unprecedented third successive promotion and maintain their bid to rise through league rugby's local and regional ranks at breakneck speed. Arnold took his side into the local league pyramid three seasons ago and the Kiwi coach has never looked back. But Sheffield will prove tough opposition on Tyneside this weekend - look out for more details later this week. |
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