Bishop Auckland

Bishops started strongly, but it was the visitors who took the lead after 25 minutes. Whitby's No. 7 drove over from a lineout five metres from the Auckland line. Bishops retaliated, and a set move on the half way line resulted in winger Steve Oxley being tackled just short of the Whitby line.

Bishops kept up the pressure, and a forwards set piece move saw flanker Peter Gallone crash over for a try, converted by skipper Peter Sayer.

Both sides continued to attack at every opportunity in the second half, with the visitors regaining the lead after their forwards drove over the line to score. The conversion was missed to leave Whitby leading 12-7.

Again Bishops drove forward with strong runs from centre Andy Ramrattan and Gallone. The pressure resulted in a penalty, and Sayer narrowed the lead with his successful kick. From the restart, Whitby felt the full force of second row Richard Perkins, as he went on a barnstorming 40 metre run, brushing off tackles at will.

By now the home side were starting to control the game. With second row Richard Dodds dominating the lineout and the scrum solid, scrum half Gary Hamilton was able to exploit the gaps.

From good possession, Hamilton fed Ramrattan. The Auckland centre burst through the Whitby line and ran in from 40 metres to score an excellent individual try. Sayer converted the extra points as Bishops took the lead for the first time.

The home side brought on wingers Simon Blanch and Adam Barker. Barker was soon in action. From another set move involving Hamilton and Sayer down the right, Sayer providing the pass for the pacey winger. Unfortunately, Barker was held up just short of the opposition line.

Bishops eventually extended their lead when Simon Blanch intercepted a Whitby pass and ran the full length of the field to score his try, Sayer again converting.

The home side continued to press forward with strong runs from Gallone and fellow back row forward Paul Fletcher setting up quality ball for Hamilton. Oxley, now playing in the centres, drove close to the Whitby line after wrong-footing their defence. From a quick penalty, Hamilton broke and fed the ball to Gallone who drove into the Whitby forwards.

Hamilton recycled the ball to Fletcher who found space and ran in a try from ten metres out.

Again Sayer was successful with his kick, leaving Bishop comfortable winners.

Bishops II gave a much improved performance despite going down 52-17 to Stockton III in the Tees Valley league. Spirited Bishops scored three tries through Steve Hargreaves, Dave Dent and winger Gareth Scott.