Northern won their pre-season warm up game 64-45 at home against Preston Lodge. Match summary thanks to Alan Belford.
A warm, sunny afternoon at McCracken Park and an entertaining contest with two teams blowing out the cobwebs to prepare for their coming league games was a useful step up from training.
A game divided into four quarters allowed both team's coaches to mix and match their squads and players to experience full contact.
Quarter 1 was a close affair with Preston scoring an early try after a mis-placed pass in the home 22 was hacked on and touched down. Northern replied with well worked tries from Thomas Chandler then Ayden Knott, both converted by Will Jobling with the quarter ending 14-5 to Northern.
Quarter 2 ended with honours even. Preston scored two converted tries in quick succession from the kick off, the first a long run after an interception in their half and the second from a quick throw (albeit using a ball passed back by the crowd) whilst the Northern defence was reforming.
Northern rallied and responded with two tries of their own the first by Nathan Whitworth powering over and the second by Harvey Guthrie after supporting a searing Thomas Chandler break, both converted by Will Jobling.
As the quarter drew to a close, Preston scored a converted try after sustained pressure on the home line then Northern replied at the death when Ayden Knott ran a great line to dot down his second try, converted again by Will Jobling ending with the scores level 21 all.
Quarter 3 was just shaded by Preston, both teams scoring a try each with Preston's being converted as squad changes and the heat took effect. Northern's try was a lovely wrap-around move with Will Jobling's pace taking him through a gap to score then Preston replied rather bizarrely after seeming to knock on then touching down after the ball had ricocheted off a Northern head into the goal area. 7-5 to Preston.
Quarter 4 was a lively affair which Northern won by four tries to two, the first three in a rapid start from the off. Harvey Guthrie nabbed his second try following a telling break by Ayden Knott, Jonny Dowell adding the extras. Next, Kyle Blackmore crossed after home forward pressure then a good break by Thomas Chandler put the supporting Ewan Jobling away to score and convert his own try.
Preston pulled a converted try back but Northern pulled further ahead as Thomas Chandler showed the visitors a clean pair of heels as he raced away for his second try.
There was just time left for Preston to grab a last consolation try from a five metre line out after Northern had conceded a series of penalties to end the quarter 24-12 to Northern.
With the final cumulative score of 64-45 to Northern the crowd were treated to a glut of tries with both teams getting valuable match practice. Further warm up games are scheduled before the start of the season proper.
