The opening quarter of this pre season friendly affair was understandably somewhat scrappy and unco-ordinated as both sides contained a significant proportion of people who had yet to trouble a training session.

Stu Barrass only managed two minutes before colliding with a stray knee

After 25 minutes Stockton edged ahead when Taffy slotted a penalty and then on the half hour Oz rumbled over for a trademark short range try (which he later insisted had been fully 40 metres ).

Boro came back into it and Stockton defended their 8-0 lead manfully but unfortunately incurred the wrath of the referee , leading to the sight of two Conlons, father and son, simultaneously sin binned for breakdown offences.

But Stockton held out until the whistle with some vigorous tackling from Ginge , Geordie & Anth Healey in particular.

After half time , and still down to 13 players ,Stockton stretched their lead and Taffy crossed close to the posts and added the conversion.

Then back up to 14 men , centre Matty Oates scored with a strong run.

With a full 15 now on the park, flanker Parko then scored with a mazy run into the corner following a No8 pick up by Lewy Gray but the conversion sadly struck the posts.

Straight from the kick off Boro landed the ball in the grateful arms of second row Tomby who galloped fully 40 meters unmolested to make it 30-0.

Prop Andy Chaney then touched down ( Boro unsuccessfully claimed he was using the ref as a blocker) and the rain began to fall .

The final score came in an absolute deluge when Matty Oates strolled over again to make it 40-0 to Stocktonians.