Rovers will look back on the match and be disappointed not to have won by a bigger margin but the try-scoring bonus point victory moves the Whites up the table into 4th place.

Rovers got off to a great start with Kevin Maguire, after missing the defeat at Stockton, keeping up the form he showed against Ryton to cross after David Grand had made ground, Michael Barnfield converting.

There was no increase in the lead until after 24 minutes with Lee Maddison there in support of Adam Smith to score and half time came with no addition to the score.

The second half started in the same way as the first with a try by the Friaragemen. An attacking lineout inside the away 22 saw the ball spread and Liam Austwicke entered the line to go under the posts, Michael Barnfield’s conversion making the lead 19-0.

The lead increased to 26-0 with the 4th try for the hosts, Ian Coulson this time the scorer after the centre caught a long pass, Michael Barnfield again adding the extra points and the number 10 then offloaded to Austwicke for the full back’s second try.

Rovers then went to sleep and Sunderland twice scored tries through sub Jason Wright and left wing Liam Evans although Rovers will be disappointed with their defensive work. Gav Stirling’s conversion to Evans’ try made it 31-12 and not a fair reflection of the match.

The White Shirts scored next with Smith picking up a low pass to get the first of his two tries and Steven Barnfield crossing from ruck 2 metres out.

Within 2 minutes Rovers had scored again with Grand rampaging up the left wing after a neat break by Austwicke, Michael Barnfield kicking the conversion with Austwicke and Smith then combining for Smith to finish the game with his second try.

Gateshead at Eastwood Gardens is the next match up for Rovers on Saturday.

Rovers: Austwicke, Grand, Gunn, Coulson (c), Smith, M Barnfield, S Barnfield, A Flounders, Maguire (sin bin 61), Wise, Baxter (sin bin 34), Pinchen, Church, Maddison, Foster. Subs used: I Flounders, Fawcett, Whitehead

Sunderland: B Fish, McNally, Arkley, Arrowsmith, Evans, Stirling, Brace, Buckley, Hirst, Ross, C Fish, Carter (c), Finch, Drummond, Belfield. Subs used: Handalage, Wright, Skett

Referee: Roberto Donadio (Catalan Society)