After comfortably beating Seghill 33-8 two weeks earlier, Bishop Auckland rugby first team failed to complete a double in the Durham and Northumberland third division on Saturday as they lost 27-20 in the return at Seghill.
Seghill took the initiative from the start. Poor defence from the Auckland pack allowed the home flanker to run in the opening try from some 40 metres out. Bishops were quick to reply with a penalty from Peter Sayer which took him past the 200 points mark for the season. With Bishops beginning to control the game, they were soon in the lead.
Bartle took a quick tap penalty and sent Walker on a 30 metre run to the line. Bishops should have extended their lead when Bartle sent Sayer off on a mazy run deep into Seghill territory, but the final pass went astray and Bishops were held to an 8-5 lead at half-time.
Bishops did go further ahead in the second half when an excellent move involving Walker, Bartle and Oxley culminated in Sayer going over for his 14th try of the season. Some strong running from hooker Kitching and abrasive tackling from MacLeod and Gallone should have seen Bishop comfortably in control.
Instead, Bishops gave the game away with a period of poor tackling and ill discipline that saw Seghill kick a penalty and score three tries, two of them converted, to establish a 27-13 lead. The visitors fought back with an excellent solo try from centre Oxley to reduce the deficit to seven points, but they had given away too much. With too little time to repair the damage, Seghill ran out relieved and somewhat fortunate winners.
On Sunday, Bishop Auckland Rugby Club held their annual seven-a-side tournament for the Ted Robinson Memorial Trophy. Twelve sides, including a touring team from Lancashire club Dukinfield RFC, provided a highly entertaining afternoon's rugby with Durham University ending up worthy winners.
Group winners Norton Pirates, Durham University and Billingham, along with best runners-up Durham City contest the semi-finals. In the first semi-final a well drilled Norton side beat City by 22-5, while in the second match last year's runners-up Durham University moved into the final with a solid 29-10 win over Billingham.
The final produced some of the best rugby of the afternoon as the Students overcame a tiring Pirates side 26-5.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article