The opening game of the Northern Conference proved a humdinger with the clash of the rookie Senators up against one of the traditional powerhouses. It proved that the Senators excellent performance against Team Scotland at the end of last year was a marker for things to come.

The Hawks were the first to break the deadlock with Ryan McCabe showing a turn of speed to burst through the home side’s defense and romp home for a twenty-three yard score. With the extra point attempt failing the visitors had a narrow advantage as the teams changed ends at the close of the first quarter.

The Senators clawed their way back into the game following a fifteen-yard blast from Gavin Barr and with Ben Foster nailing the two point after kick the home side finished the half 8 – 6 ahead in a pulsating a close fought game.

In the third quarter the Senators extended their lead when the Hawks fumbled the ball in their own end zone and Iain Dover was the first to react gathering in the ball for a score. The attempted two-point conversion kick was blocked leaving the Gateshead side 14 – 6 ahead. The Hawks came storming back through a determined run by Blake Kyle who galloped into the end zone from over twenty-five yards. David Orr kicked the extra points leaving the game nicely tied at 14 – 14 and with all to play for.

The Senators hit back in the fourth regaining their eight point lead when Stephen Manuel sped in from fully forty-five yards and Foster notched the extra two points. Kyle quickly responded for the visitors scampering in for his second touchdown of the afternoon, but with the attempted conversion kick being b locked the Senators held on to record their first ever competitive win in their first game.

Both sides can take heart, producing some excellent football. The two teams proved that the playing standards of Youth football continues to develop and that the Northern Conference will be perhaps the most competitive Conference in 2007.