DURHAM CITY 15 WEST HARTLEPOOL 19

Leading 15 – 0 early in the second half, their ill-discipline cost them dearly as they were reduced to 13 men and West came back at them to reduce the arrears and then snatch the lead with 7 minutes remaining.

A penalty by stand-off Paul Armstrong in the opening minute had set City on their way and although the first-half was generally evenly contested, they extended their advantage just before the interval when centre Chris Metcalfe chipped over the West defence from 25 metres and won a race for the touchdown. Armstrong converted for a 10 – 0 lead.

It was quickly extended after the interval when winger Tom Elliott ran well to beat two defenders on the outside and score their second try after some fine forward play had created the opportunity. Armstrong’s conversion attempt hit the upright, but at 15 – 0 they looked to have control.

West had other ideas however. They got off the mark after 55 minutes when full-back Zac Southern forced his way over after they ran from a lineout and stand-off Gavin Painter converted.

Still City looked solid, but with West pressure mounting, the loss of two players to yellow cards within a minute of each other opened the door for the eager visitors.

First a loose clearance kick allowed West to run the ball back at a stretched City defence and centre Liam Checksfield scored to reduce the arrears to 15 – 12, and 5 minutes later he was at it again, bursting through on the left to score his second try at the posts to give Painter a simple conversion and his side a lead at 15 – 19 that thereafter they never looked likely to surrender.

CITY: Phil Stewart; Tom Elliott, Garry Izomor, Chris Metcalfe, Rob Smith; Paul Armstrong (c), Will Paxton;Tim Mackay, Kenny Reader, David Lyall, Kevin Showler, Josh Cotton, Benny Parkinson, Craig Dominick, Howard Johnson.

Replacements : Joe Maw, Max Bailey, David Atkinson.