In the round-robin section of the County Cup the Centurions travelled in hope after being awarded a "victory" the previous week. However, a combination of injuries, call-ups, holidays and seasonal lambing saw an unbalanced side take the field against slick, well-organised opponents.

Without a hooker, the three prop forwards present, Gregg Taylor, Michael Ramsey and Phil Scandle, held a meeting and only Phil was brave enough to volunteer for the number two shirt. After finding their feet in a messy first scrum, they got stuck in, held their own in the tight and contributed around the field.

Similarly, the three high-class scrum-halves available, drew straws. Ollie Haxton and Matty Williams played fly-half and centre respectively with Andy Harvey at number 9. This lottery pushed captain and centre Jake Sloan into the back row.

As a result of all these changes a skilful Medicals side dominated the first half especially down the left wing where Spencer Tolley frequently found himself alone against two and three opponents with little support.

An early foray by Max Henderson and Jeff Wheallans saw Harvey move quickly rucked ball to the dynamic Martyn Hutton whose nice pass allowed Rory Dixon to power over in the corner.

After this good start Medicals were well on top and despite a tackling shift by locks Callum Foxcoft and Ian Charlton they could always find players in support as they ran in six tries with two conversions to lead 34-5 at the break.

The second-half swung in Tynedale's favour as the defence was tightened, off-loads found support runners and more ball was secured by the forwards.

A jinking Williams sent speedy Dan Heppell away on a long run from half-way. Held short, Sloan arrived and crossed the line before surprising Ramsey with an unexpected pass but, he had the composure to catch and touch down with a quizzical look at his skipper.

A converted try extended the home lead before a quickly taken penalty saw Scandle bullock up field then produce a delicate overhead pass. The three-quarters passed well to allow Dixon to skate home for his second.

From the restart, Ben Sanderson needed to make a superb tackle from behind to stop his opposite number. The evergreen replacement Andy Purvis positioned himself to prevent another scoring opportunity before picking up loose ball and attempting an ambitious clearing kick. Unfortunately, a wicked deflection allowed Medicals to switch the ball rapidly to the opposite wing for their final converted try.

The Centurions didn't allow heads to drop and Hugh Holland-Creaven rampaged upfield from a tapped penalty. Williams and man-of-the-match Hutton executed a lightening switch in the centre to feed Sloan who galloped over. With the final play of the match, the outstanding full-back Donald Stembridge got the try his efforts deserved. Taking the ball in his own half he ran round and through several attempted tacklers for a fine score.

Unfortunately, the tie had been lost in the first half but there was much to be pleased about with the strong end to the game and the efforts by all involved after so many changes.