PONTELAND 12 v DURHAM CITY 83

City took their try total to 38 in 4 matches since the turn of the year and recorded one of the biggest wins in their 144 year history.

Playing into a strong, bitterly cold wind, they ran from the start and were totally dominant throughout. Ponteland had barely touched the ball before the visitors went ahead, winger Rob Smith, returning from long-term injury, breaking through the middle for the first try which full-back Phil Stewart converted.

A break through the centre from a scrum ended with Ponteland winger Jonathon Murphy scoring after 10 minutes which stand-off Michael Searle converted to level the score, but it was against the run of play and only served to spur City on as the overwhelmed the home side with the pace, power and purpose of their non-stop running and support game.

Two tries by centre Craig Dominick quickly followed, stand-off Arnie Stevenson and No.8 Peter Dent then got in on the act before Dominick completed a first-half hat-trick and, with Stewart converting 4 of them, City led 40 – 7 at half-time.

Normal service was resumed straight after the re-start, a surge by prop Benny Parkinson opening the way for centre Bradley Pears to score his first try, Dent following with his second from a 5 metre scrum and Pears running in from 35 metres for his second.

Replacement Paul Armstrong converted two of them before a spirited response by Ponteland produced their second try when they ran from a penalty 10 metres out and replacement winger Alex Gray went over in the corner.

However, City showed no signs of letting up and added a further 4 tries in the last quarter as Ponteland tired having defended all afternoon. Stewart and scrum-half Will Paxton, by now playing on the wing, both got their first of the day, Stevenson his second and Dent wrapped it up by completing his hat-trick at the end. Armstrong successfully converted 2 of them to complete a fine overall performance.

In the next game, City have a break from league action and entertain Bradford Salem in the National Intermediate Cup at Hollow Drift (KO. 2.15pm).

CITY: Phil Stewart; Sam Heron, Bradley Pears, Craig Dominick, Rob Smith; Arnie Stevenson, Will Paxton; Mike Hay, Kenny Reader, Benny Parkinson, Tom Baty, Kevin Showler, Paddy Dias, Jeff Roberts, Peter Dent(c).

Replacements: Adam Huitson, Paul Armstrong, David Harries.