HORDEN & PETERLEE 20 DURHAM CITY 47

Four tries up and a bonus point in the bag by the interval, they surged on in the second half to add a further 3 tries and, apart from occasional periods of home pressure, they were rarely in trouble.

They went ahead after 4 minutes when prop Benny Parkinson burst through the middle and centre Chris Metcalfe was in support to score the first try under the posts which stand-off Paul Armstrong converted.

A penalty by Horden’s Andrew turner got his side into the game but City’s response was immediate, fine continuity after winger Rob Smith was almost over in the corner, ending with lock Kevin Showler taking a short pass to score their second try several phases later and then finishing off some good off-loading for his second and City’s third after 20 minutes.

Metcalfe matched him with his second try when they patiently went through 5 or 6 phases of play near the home line and when Armstrong added a penalty 5 minutes before the interval, they were flying at 3 – 25.

They were brought up with a jolt after their successful penalty however, as home winger Ben Turnbull caught the ball from the kick-off and raced through a static defence untouched for a try which Turner converted to reduce the arrears to 10 – 25 at half-time.

But city’s composure was quickly recovered, a fine offload by flanker Howard Johnson following a lineout opening the way for fellow flanker Dan Holden to score and Armstrong convert.

Back came Horden however, pick and drives on the City line ending with prop Paul Jones scoring before City stretched away again to a 15 – 47 lead, Smith and Armstrong adding tries and Armstrong converting one and kicking a second penalty.

The final minutes were the home side’s however as they pressed on the City line, replacement Sean McCallum going over from a maul to end an entertaining match.