Durham City 10 Heughers 25

Team; M.Saunders, D.Gregory, L.Saunders, C.Taylor, J.Fleet, S.McGuire, S.Railton, T.Church, M.Stephenson, D.Fawcett, I.Gallagher, J.Montgomery, I.Mulvill, A.Smith, D. Thomas, D.Carroll, C.Hopkinson

Rovers got off to a solid start in the perfect conditions at Durham with good runs from Randy and the much missed Gregory. Daz forced wide an early penalty after 5 minutes and put a second into the corner a bit later after turnover ball after hard tackling from Squid and Chris Taylor. Good line out ball from Fleet then straight running by Muller who sent Gregory over for an unconverted try, 0 - 5, 12 mins.

Rovers continued to apply pressure with runs from Taylor and Dillon passing out to Bubbles who showed great pace down the touch line to round his opposite number and stroll under the posts, Daz converted, 0 - 12, 15 mins.

Things continued well with Tyrone stealing a lot of ball in the loose, Matty pressurising at the base of the scrum and Squid putting in some great tackles forcing balls to spill. Daz missed a second penalty after 20 minutes and Gregory was unlucky not to touch down after a good break by Adam. Greggs then came off for a breather and Carrotts came on for 2 munutes before he was binned for 10 minutes for belting a lad who touched his leg in a ruck. Daz hit a penalty taking the score to 0 - 15, 30 mins, and Gregory came back on for Fleet after bringing up his fish and chips behind the stand.

The game started to get scrappy and Rovers were now taking ball into contact and getting isolated with to many standing back watching. This continued at the start of the second half and Durham realised they may have a way out if the work a bit harder up front. A simple ball across the backs gave the Durham center an easy run in to score without anyone touching him, 5 - 15, 45mins.

Carrotts came back on as did Fleet with Fin taking a well earned rest. Good work by Squid and Chris and another steal by Matty gave Bubbles a strong run forcing another penalty that Daz slotted, 5 - 18, 50 mins. Chris Hopkinson came on for Monty and showed pace a couple of times one should have resulted in a try bt the final pass fell at Adam's feet. Fleety came oof and Fin went back on then Chris came off and Fleet went back on, we then explained the new rule of 8 substitutions was not per player so he stayed on.

More pressure came from Durham and a second unconverted try came after 68 mins, 10 - 18. Rovers then finished the game after good movement with Randy scoring and Daz converting, 10 - 25. Rovers need to work harder in the loose but to be fair a good result away from home.