GATESHEAD 22 DURHAM CITY 24

For the second successive week, City emerged as bonus point winners in his Durham & Northumberland 1 League match, but in truth the result could eventually have gone either way as mistakes abounded in bitter conditions.

For much of the game they had the better of the set and loose forward exchanges. But having built up a 0 – 12 lead and looking comfortable after half an hour with tries by lock Liam Wilson from a catch and driven lineout and centre Arnie Stevenson, who shrugged off a couple of tackles to score from 25 metres for scrum-half Paul Armstrong to convert after stand-off Tom Hodgson had made a fine break, Gateshead came right back into it in the closing minutes of the half.

Pressure on the City line was defended, but eventually the ball was moved wide with an overlap for full-back Scott Cartmer to score in the corner and convert. Moments later, a penalty chance 40 metres out gave the home side the opportunity to close the gap even further and centre Jonny Foster made no mistake to suddenly leave the game finely balanced with an interval score of 10 – 12.

When centre Mark Bedworth nipped over from close range for City’s third try from a quickly-taken penalty after 60 minutes to finish off a period of sustained pressure and extend their lead to 10 – 17, it looked as if they might stretch away.

But back came Gateshead immediately, a missed touch kick allowing Cartner to field on half-way, kick ahead and win a race for the touchdown before converting again to level the score.

Six minutes later, they went ahead for the first time, man of the moment Cartner breaking to score his third try from 40 metres following a lineout.

But with 7 minutes remaining, more City forward pressure got its reward, Liam Wilson being driven over for his second try from a 5 metre lineout and Armstrong converting from wide out to regain the lead at 22 – 24. Still Gateshead had a chance to win it though, but a last play of the match penalty kick at goal; was missed and City were home and dry.

CITY: Rob Smith; Nick Howe, Arnie Stevenson, Mark Bedworth, Bradley Pears; Tom Hodgson, Paul Armstrong (c); Mike Hay, Kenny Reader, Benny Parkinson, Liam Wilson, Tom Baty, Richard Knowles, Andy Brown, Peter Dent.

Replacements: Colin Hogg, Kyle Wilson, Tim Mackay.