Bishop Auckland 6 points v Acklam 49 points

Acklam played their final league game of the season with another convincing win at Bishop Auckland. This means they have completed the league season undefeated, played 26 games, won 25 and drew one. They have scored a staggering 1,303 points with only 343 points against which gives them an average per game of 50 points for and 13 points against. This represents a true League Championship team performance by the Acklam players and coaches….well done everyone!

Bishop Auckland’s ground was in excellent condition but the weather was rather cool for the time of year. Acklam stunned the home team from the start with some very slick handling and at pace which allowed Josh Abraham to power over from 25 meters out, 0-7. B.A. tried to ease themselves into the game with two early penalties after 11 minutes, 6-7. In the 14th minute after some very clever back line play, Andrew Dunn broke the defensive line and was only pulled up inches short of the try line under the posts. B.A. heavy pack was causing some concern to Acklam at scrummage time and the hosts certainly were making life difficult for the visitors with a spirited performance. In the 20th minute Danny Ashton kicked a penalty and minutes later Josh Abraham scored his second try with another of his prolific runs after some great handling by the team, 6-17. Danny kicked another penalty on the half hour and from the restart Paddy O’Brien caught the ball and made a devastating 40 meter run which he off loaded to Marcus Sudron who scored the try, 6-25. Once again from the kick off Andrew Dalton caught the ball and Josh Abraham made the damaging run to the home defence and scrum half Len Hogg scored yet another fine try which give the visitors the bonus point, H.T. 6-30.

In the second half Acklam found it difficult to get on the score board which was mainly down to a determined home team, but in the last 10 minutes of the game, Acklam’s mobility and pace was too much for the hosts as the visitors scored a hatrick of tries. In the 70th minute tight head prop Jamie ‘BoBo’ Bowtell-Potter made a powerful 50 meter break, he was high tackled and the referee awarded a penalty try, 6-37. In the 73rd minute after the ball went quickly through the backs hands, Andy Dunn kicked through and Brad Gator used his pace to collect the ball and score, 6-44. Just before the final whistle len Hogg scored his try to bring the final curtain down on what has been a magnificent season, F.T. 6-49.

Updated 09:14 - 29 Apr 2018 by Jim Ward