Everything looked rosy for Rovers at Hollow Drift when they led 21-7 at half time and then 26-7 but Consett battled back to lead 31-29 with four minutes to play. The Whites then had a chance to steal the win with a last-kick-of-the-game penalty but James Evens’ kick struck the left post.

This was devastating for Evens had put over some good kicks earlier in the match and also Ian Coulson who was on top form, scoring a hat trick.

Rovers had to absorb early Consett pressure but held out and went on the attack themselves to take a 7-0 lead on 11 minutes. Under pressure, Consett conceded several penalties and from an advantage Andrew Dring powered to the line, Evens converting.

Coulson was over the line after 17 minutes after a break by Stewart Grazier but Rovers had been penalised at the scrum.

Rovers then got a try out of nothing with 28 minutes played but which was a reward for good tackling and follow up play. Taz Pelser put in a great tackle just inside the Consett 22 and when the ball went loose Coulson was there to pick up and run home, Evens again converting for a 14-0 lead.

The Friaragemen leaked a soft try on 33 minutes when they allowed full back Drew Neist too much space on the right wing and he slipped several half-tackles to score, Alex Paulus converting.

Rovers went 19-7 ahead two minutes before half time when Adam Smith broke clear and a Steven Barnfield offload to Coulson saw the centre run in for his second try with Evens adding the extra points. There was nearly another try when Grazier and Lee Maddison ran out of defence but Jack Gunn could not take Grazier’s pass.

The second half got off to a great start for Rovers with Coulson getting his hat-trick on 44 minutes after Rovers had put the Consett defence under great pressure.

It looked all over but there was still a long time to go and Consett pulled seven points back after 52 minutes when a kick to the right hand corner by Paulus was touched sown by Tom Clay, Paulus kicking an excellent touchline conversion.

Evens kicked a 20 metre penalty on the hour mark to keep Rovers three scores ahead 29-14 but Consett pulled five points back within five minutes through Jack Clark. Rovers then seemed to have held out from a 5 metre scrum but when the ball was released Ryan Wallbank received to force his way over. The lead was now down to 29-26 with 69 minutes gone.

Consett took the lead for the first time after 76 minutes when a massive drive in the left hand corner saw Clark in for a second try.

The last four minutes were very nervous with both sides conceding penalties. Rovers declined one difficult kick for an attacking lineout only to lose the throw but with time up Consett were offside to give Rovers a last chance.

The White Shirts ought to have wrapped the game up before that stage though when they led 26-7 and when the kick bounced back off the post no-one had followed up giving Consett the chance to kick it dead.

It was not to be and Rovers now need to look towards next season.

Rovers: S Barnfield, Gunn, Austwicke, Coulson, Smith, Evens, Pelser, Flounders, Dakers, Wise, Langley, Pinchen, Grazier, Maddison, Dring (c). Subs: Padgett, Grand, Fawcett, Lawson, Whitehead, J Cushlow, Wilson

Consett: Neist, Clay, Marshall, Wallbank, Clark, Paulus, Trott, McQueen, Petch, Loughran, Urwin, Rowbotham (c), Gray, Pearson, Brown. Subs: Wilkinson, Sotheran, Bartle, Sadler, Connor, French, McGeorge

Referee: Carl Hall (Durham Society)