Newly promoted Newton Aycliffe put up a spirited performance in this Durham and Northumberland Division Three local derby but in the end the greater nobilityand stamina of Bishop's forwards, the pace and aggressive running of their backs and the accuracy of Ian Campbell's kicking, all proved too much for the

home side to cope with.

Aycliffe never gave up and it is to the credit of their defence that three of Bishop's tries were scored in the corner, but Bishop can look back on a number of missed opportunities that could have considerably have enhanced their score.

Both sides missed early penalty chances to go ahead and Aycliffe's total commitment to tackling had Bishop on the back foot. Twice their forwards came offside in an effort to gain possession and Aycliffe went into early 6-0 lead. Bishop's handling was slow and too much possession was kicked away, but eventually a series of forward drives took Bishop into Aycliffe's 22, and under pressure the home side conceded penalties.

A high tackle and forwards coming off-side presented Campbell with three opportunities which he comfortably kicked to take Bishop into a 9-6 lead.

The second half saw Bishop's backs finally turn the screw on a tiring defence . When Mapes won against the head, scrum half Colwell went round the blind side and sent Blanch over in the corner. Dufton and Rispin were beginning to open up the Aycliffe defence and Oxley and Sayer should have scored but a knock-on brought the home side some relief.

Bishop were now on constant attack and when Campbell crossed the line it took five Aycliffe players to hold him up and prevent a touchdown. But from the 5-metre scrum Bishop sent the ball across the field for Sayer to score in the corner. Both sides kicked penalties before Bishop added a further two tries to their score. They ran a penalty and Bartle found Campbell in space and this time he was not to be denied as he touched down and then added the conversion. In the final move of the game Oxley came from his own wing to join the line on the far wing and go over in the corner. Campbell added a superb touchline conversion to bring his own tally for the match to 21 points.

Bishop Auckland RUFC 2nd XV 10, Hartlepool RFC 2nd XV 32.

Hartlepool loaned Bishop a player to even up the sides in this Tees Valley Social Fixture league fixture and throughout the first half Bishop dominated the play but had difficulty in breaking down Hartlepool's defence. Twice centre John Bell broke through and sent winger Lee Clements over for tries, but it was a lead they were unable to build on. Injuries early in the second half saw Bishop lose two players and Hartlepool made full use of their advantage to establish a comfortable win