Alnwick RFC beat Northern 26-31 over the weekend

Alnwick RFC maintained their winning start to the new season with a hard-fought 26-31 victory over fellow title-chasers Northern on Saturday afternoon.

Away from home, the Northumberland outfit made a flying start to proceedings, running up a 0-14 lead inside 21 minutes thanks to a pair of Michael O’Brien tries, both of which were duly converted by Jim Blackett.

From there, Northern would hit back courtesy of a Joshua Coombs score, converted by William Jobling, but a Jonathan McNickle effort and a penalty try would ensure that Alnwick re-established a commanding advantage over their hosts.

Dominic Warby would reduce the deficit before the interval, with Jobling once again on target, but Alnwick headed in 14-26 to the good at the break, and would kick on again shortly after the restart when Kalvin Inglis went over.

Northern would rally late on, with a pair of tries from Robert Lenderyou and Nye Godsmark - one of which was converted by Jonathan Dowell - but Alnwick ultimately hung on for a win that leaves them five points clear at the summit of the Regional One North East.