Newcastle continue to march on

The last time a northern team won the cup back in 1994, RGS Newcastle came second, beaten 17-13 by Mount St Mary's.

This season they look good enough to go all the way.

Showing little signs of rustiness after a six-week break from rugby, they won 18-13 at Lancaster RGS to reach the quarter-finals, in which they travel again to Oakham.

'Lancaster have had a good season and it was a game I feared. They proved as tough as expected but we I was pleased how well we controlled matters,' said coach Paul Ponton.

The win at Lancaster was Newcastle's 15th in an unbeaten season and hooker Matt Thompson, one of three North players in the team with loose head Simon Knowles and inspirational skipper and No 7 Johnny O'Malley, rewarded their early pressure with a successful penalty.

Lancaster levelled but Newcastle, who have an impressive and well organised pack, drove over from a line-out and were awarded a penalty try. Thompson converted for a 10-6 half timelead.

The critical score arrived courtesy of another catch and drive with Thompson coming up with the ball. He missed the conversion but added another penalty. Newcastle protected their lead well and Lancaster last-minute penalty try was no more than a consolation.