The opening minutes saw aggressiveness from both sides with the referee dishing out early warnings to the players.
Through fast phase play Ponteland were creating gaps and it wasn’t until the eleventh minute until the #MightyMaroons broke the deadlock.
Quick turnover ball put Ponteland straight onto the front foot. The ball is flashed the ball wide in the hands of Patrick Holliday who shrugs off tackles before offloading to Josh Beswick who races around the full back to score. Owen Reed battled the strong wind throughout the day while taking on kicking responsibilities and without fail he slotted the first ball between the posts.
Just five minutes later the #MightyMaroons were in again, this time through number eight Sam Long. Fly-half Joe Nic made the initial break after selling an outrageous dummy pass, he then went on to passing to James Mould. Attempting to run over the full back he fails and goes down and the ball is flashed out wide to Long fends off one and give in the corner to score. Taking on a difficult kick once again Reed converted.
Hitting the 21st minute in the match, spectacular offloading and fast paced rugby earned the #MightyMaroons their third try. Winger Will Herford sliced his way through the midfield on a kick return, charging 50 metres before being taken down. He manages an offload to Courtney West whose good support is rewarded with an easy run in. Once again Reed converts.
Ponteland fans who traveled had to wait until moments before the half time to see the bonus point try being scored. A set piece play led by Long saw top try scorer Beswick be gifted a walk in at the right corner. Reed finally proved he was human as his conversion attempt just swerved wide of the post.
In one of the last plays of the half the referee gave a taste of what was to come as he served the first yellow card of the day to Ben Stewart leaving the #MightyMaroons ending the half and starting the second with less men on the field.

HALF TIME
Bishop Auckland 0 – 26 Ponteland RFC

Bishop Auckland were gifted a way back into the game as a Ponteland loose pass goes to ground. A long kick through by Bishop Auckland results in a foot race between the two sides in which the home side wins.
Just 9 minutes later the hosts were in again after a 5 metre line out rolls its way across the #MightyMaroons line. Maintaining the majority of possession and their confidence growing, Bishop Auckland narrowed the lead further after a number of short-range drives helped them score. Followed up with a successful conversion, Bishop Auckland were now within five points, a converted try was all that was needed to steal the win.
But in what can be described as a moment of madness saw the referee award Bishop Auckland two yellow cards as well as one for Ponteland all within the space of five minutes, each at separate instances. Lowering the numbers increased the intensity and excitement for those watching as the game entered the final twenty minutes.
The hosts weren’t settling for the losing bonus point as big Bishop carries attempted to puncture holes through the #MightyMaroons defense. Chris Searle produced an immediate impact off the bench with a well needed turnover just moments after dumping his opposite man straight into touch.
Eventually the Bishop Auckland were able to break the line, but Nicholson put his body on the line and made a crucial save as he managed to wrap the ball up just as it was being grounded.
Then with two minutes to go Bishop Auckland received their third yellow card of the half. An easier finish saw the #MightyMaroons control the possession for the dying moments of the game.
Leaving with a crucial five league points, the #MightyMaroons remain hot on the heels of Sunderland who currently sit in the league’s number one spot.

FULL TIME
Bishop Auckland 21 – 26 Ponteland RFC

Try’s: J. Beswick (11, 38), S. Long (15), C. West (21)
Conversions: O. Reed 3
Man of the Match: Owen Reed