Two penalties by Horden winger Craig Jones to one by City Stand-off Paul Armstrong gave the home side an early advantage before a good run by City winger Sam Heron opened the way for his counterpart Chris Metcalfe to squeeze over in the corner for the first of their 5 tries.

Armstrong soon added a penalty and when the ball ran loose as he darted for the line after 25 minutes, scrum-half Will Paxton pounced for the second try at the posts which Armstrong duly converted for an 18 – 6 interval lead.

They quickly consolidated thereafter, Metcalfe getting his second try after several phases of play and Centre Craig Dominick breaking from 50 metres to shrug off tackles for the try of the match. Armstrong converted one of them to stretch the lead to 30 – 6.

But, as ever, Horden refused to lie down and built pressure which might have produced a couple of scores before they got their reward, centre Andy White breaking and replacement forward Jon Hudson touching down from a ruck on City’s line.

Jones converted to reduce the deficit, but at the death City added their fifth try, going through several phases before Centre Brad Pears strode away to score for Armstrong to convert.

CITY: Phil Stewart; Chris Metcalfe, Bradley Pears, Craig Dominick, Sam Heron; Paul Armstrong (c), Will Paxton, Mike Hay, Kenny Reader, Fraser Kirkley, Tom Baty, Kevin Showler, Arnie Stevenson, Jeff Roberts, Peter Dent.

Replacements : David Harries, Tim Mackay, Howard Johnson