Sunderland, as expected, threw everything at the visitors in trying to rescue something from a poor season and caused Rovers some uncomfortable moments without really threatening to win. The Whites looked dangerous when they ran and passed the ball but didn’t do this often enough.

There were also times when forwards outnumbered three-quarters in the back line and which caused Rovers three problems: not enough players committed to the breakdowns; clogging up the midfield and slowing the ball on its way to the wingmen.

The Friaragemen were ahead with less than a minute on the clock. Liam Wood broke from an attacking lineout and recycled ball went along the line with Liam Austwicke picking off a low pass to cross for 5-0.

Sunderland hit back on 10 minutes when they camped in the away 22 where the home eight drove to the line with Jos Wright being carried over.

James Evens and Tom Townend then traded penalties and so it was 8-8 after 28 minutes with Rovers then going ahead again a minute later with a Ben Cushlow try. Austwicke broke after fielding a high kick and good hands through Jack Gunn and David Grand for Cushlow to finish off by the right corner flag.

Evens kicked a 20 metre penalty after Ross Finch was sin-binned on 35 minutes for a 16-8 half time lead.

Wood was yellow-carded at the start of the second half and Rovers then had to defend their line.

Gunn, Austwicke and Cushlow then all nearly touched down but the points didn’t come and Evens missed with two kickable penalties as Rovers tried to extend their lead.

The White Shirts will play Durham City or Gateshead in the final but are back at Ashbrooke again in Durham Northumberland One action on Saturday.

Sunderland: Fish, Cowans, Townend, Goforth, Arkley, Stirling, Brace, Hirst, Wright, Arrowsmith, Carter (c), Victory, Wordsworth, Finch (sin bin 35), Belfield. Subs used: Harrison (sin bin 60), Hanson, Duthie

Rovers: Austwicke, B Cushlow, Grand, Gunn, A Smith, Evens, S Barnfield, A Flounders (c), Maguire, Little, Langley, Ryan, Church, Wood (sin bin 41), Wilson. Subs used: Wise, Baxter, White, Fleet, Stevenson, Foster

Referee: Dave Swainson (Durham Society)