Middlesbrough 51 Gateshead 14

THE names of Wright and Bircham have long featured strongly at Acklam Park and they were prominent in Saturday's scoresheet.

Middlesbrough have been without a recognised goal-kicker since Callum Campbell was injured, but may have found one in club president Keith Bircham's grandson, Jack.

He took over from chairman Mike Wright's son, Peter, towards the end and landed two conversions from wide out.

They would also have had two tries each had Bircham, a lively winger, not been pulled back when winning the race following a kick to the line.

A penalty try resulted, taking the tally to eight.

These teams were two divisions apart last season and may well be similarly divided next year, with Boro's fate likely to hinge on successive matches on December 3 and 10.

They entertain the one team above them in North One East, Billingham, then visit third-placed Wheatley Hills, where they will probably need all their most battle-hardened performers up front.

They were able to leave Craig Chapman and Iain Bradford on the bench for this romp, while skipper Richie Barker should be back shortly after a knee operation.

Powerful young prop Ben d'Cuna enjoyed a promising debut, while Lee Theakston staked a strong claim for a regular place at lock and Martin Dixon and Jack Aldus cemented their back row spots.

But this was a day for the backs to shine, and although right winger Josh Evans scored two tries it was Bircham who led the way.

He did remarkably well to reclaim his kick from halfway after seven minutes and pass inside for Wright to score.

The scrum half added a simple penalty then converted Evans' first try and scored the third himself when he nipped over on the blind side following a driving maul.

That made it 20-0 after 30 minutes, but the possibility of a repeat of the previous week emerged as Gateshead scored a pushover try to make it 20-7 at half-time with the benefit of the strong breeze to come.

Percy Park had come back from 20-0 down to draw 20-20, but Gateshead's penchant for giving the ball away meant they were quickly on the back foot after the break.

A catch-and-drive took Boro almost to the line before good handling sent Bircham over in the corner, then he cleverly exchanged passes with Rob Bellerby for the centre to touch down.

Then came the penalty try before full back Ross McNeill was rewarded for his jinking runs.

Both he and Evans squeezed in at the right corner before Gateshead's left winger, Mark Livesey, scored at the death and their impressive scrum half Jonny Foster added a good conversion.

The visitors also have a useful No 8 in Martin Pluskal, while skipper David Tate will always be a threat, even when out of position at fly half.

But it looks like being a long battle for the Tynesiders to avoid the drop.