HARTLEPOOL ROVERS 10 v DURHAM CITY 23

Starting in a torrential downpour that quickly developed into a sunny afternoon, an early penalty by stand-off James Evens put the home side ahead, but the rest of the first half was dominated by City with play concentrated almost entirely in the Rovers’ half.

After 10 minutes City went ahead, sustained pressure ending with winger Chris Metcalfe scoring their first try and they followed it up with another 5 minutes later, a lineout on the left, a quickly-won ruck in midfield and tap-on pass allowing flanker Paddy Dias to score wide out on the right.

City’s stranglehold continued until the interval, but they were only able to add a penalty by stand-off Paul Armstrong for a 3 – 13 lead.

A huge collision on the stroke of half-time between the respective full-backs, Rob Smith of City and Steven Barnfield of Rovers, which saw both retire and play held up for about quarter of an hour, seemed to suck the momentum out of a scrappy second-half when play resumed however.

Rovers came more into the game but City always appeared to have their measure and extended their lead after 50 minutes with a fine try, centre Craig Dominick breaking strongly following a scrum 40 metres out to send fellow-centre Bradley Pears, now playing on the wing, racing over in the corner.

Another strong Dominick run was halted on the Rovers’ line 10 minutes later, but from the scrum, that resulted, Metcalfe was almost over before winger Sam Heron simply touched down as the ball ran loose to extend the lead to 3 – 23.

However, the last word went to Rovers just before full-time when City dropped the ball in midfield and Rovers’ winger Steven Flounders nipped in to pick up and race 35 metres to score and give centre Liam Austwicke an easy conversion.

On Saturday, City entertain Gateshead at Hollow Drift in another league match (KO.3.00pm)

CITY: Rob Smith; Sam Heron, Bradley Pears, Craig Dominick, Chris Metcalfe; Paul Armstrong, Will Paxton; Tim Mackay, Mike Hay, Benny Parkinson, Rhys Powell, Kevin Showler, Arnie Stevenson, Paddy Dias, Peter Dent.

Replacements: David Harries, Jim Earley, Howard Johnson.

WORLD CUP: The Club will be open for all of the major games, starting with
ENGLAND v FIJI on Friday 18th September from 6.00pm.
Opening Ceremony: 7.00pm. Kick-Off: 8.00pm.