Rovers came away from Barmoor with a losing bonus point but will still be wondering how a first half’s dominance could see them trail 3-0, go further behind 8-0 before a late fightback and a Jack Gunn try.

For Rovers it was good to see Connor White back in action after his injury at Morpeth whilst Ryton had former Rover Adam Williamson on the bench.

The Whites had the first 20 minutes all to themselves but couldn’t convert pressure into points, an old failing that had just about been put to bed this season.

This was to prove costly when Rovers needlessly gave away a penalty on 32 minutes for an off the ball incident involving Steven Barnfield and Lewis Barr kicked the three-pointer.

Rovers continued to enjoy the better of the play but still went in at the break 3-0 down.

The second half was more even but the Friaragemen still enjoyed the greater possession and chances. The problem was the chances weren’t being turned into points.

It seemed that the team to score the game’s first try could close the match out and go on to claim the win and so it proved.

Ryton had looked dangerous despite playing into the breeze and number 8 Colin Coulson powered his way to the line from a scrum on the away 22 although the tackling was a bit half-hearted. A showboat dive over the line by Coulson, a la his Rovers’ namesake Ian, was misguided as he then had to be helped off the pitch injured, his afternoon over.

Barr somehow managed to put his in-front conversion wide and so the lead was 8-0 instead of 10-0.

Further pressure by the White Shirts only brought halted moves and more frustration although Adam Smith twice went close in the left hand corner. Rovers’ best chance seemed to be to slice open the home defence but they then threw everything at a pick and go process that Ryton absorbed.

Gunn’s try after 77 minutes offered a glimmer of hope with the centre crossing when he looked to have been shut out and Barnfield’s drop-kicked conversion allowed play to restart with 60 seconds left. Needing to keep the ball alive, Rovers were turned over and a Ryton kick to touch brought the game to an end.

Ryton: A Oxley, A Colbeck, Haylett, Gabel, Edge, Barr, Benson, Parkinson, T Colbeck, Hardy, M Oxley (c), Rodenby, Callaghan, H Smith, Coulson. Subs used: Edwards, Williamson, Crozier

Rovers: Austwicke, Fleet, Grand, Gunn, A Smith, Evens, S Barnfield, A Flounders (c), Maguire, Tucker, Baxter, Langley, Wilson, Church, Grazier. Subs used: Little, White. Sub not used: Sainty

Referee: Ray Sutherland (Durham Society)