DURHAM CITY 46 TEAM NORTHUMBRIA 24

Still with a huge injury list that was eased slightly by the return of a couple of players on the day, they ran amok in the first half scoring 6 tries to establish an unassailable 34 – 3 lead, and whilst their pace and precision dropped after the interval as the visitors came back at them, they nevertheless ended well-deserved winners.

A try in the 6th minute by prop Kenny Reader, who was driven over from a ruck that followed a neat chip and gather by scrum-half Thomas Howard, set them on their way and 10 minutes later, a long pass following a scrum in midfield sent winger Chris Metcalfe scampering over in the corner for a 10 – 0 lead.

A fine break by stand-off Alistair Blair and good inter-passing down the touchline produced the third after 20 minutes, full-back Rob Smith finishing it off, and when a Blair tackle dislodged the ball, centre Will Kirtley took it on for partner Richard Knowles to score and secure the 4 try bonus point. Smith converted and at 22 – 0, City were flying.

A penalty after half an hour by scrum-half Joe Rowntree got Northumbria on to the scoreboard, but the respite was brief as City added a further two tries before the interval to establish their 34 – 3 lead. First Peter Van Loo came off his wing to break through the middle and score, Smith again converting, and then lock Peter Dent robbed a Northumbria lineout and Reader scored his second try as the forwards drove to the line.

Concerted Northumbria pressure early in the second period was met by strong City defence, but after quarter of an hour, the visitors got their reward, centre Tom Grimes beating two defenders after they had ran the ball wide to go behind the posts. Rowntree converted, but City’s response was immediate, a half-break by Metcalfe putting Smith clean through to run in from 25 metres for his second try.

Now they were trading tries as Northumbria stand-off Paddy Harper picked up a loose ball as City’s defence dithered to dance over for their second try which Rowntree again converted to reduce the deficit to 39 – 17, only for City to respond again, lock Alex Whitfield driving over for their final try following a 5 metre scrum and Smith converting.

Still the visitors were not finished however, as replacement winger Calum Blyth went over for their third from a quickly-taken penalty and Rowntree’s conversion was again successful.

However, the day was unquestionably City’s and the merit of their victory and boost to morale at a difficult point in the season cannot be understated.

Tomorrow, City entertain second-placed Percy Park at Hollow Drift (KO 3.00pm).