Despite this convincing and large result, the Friaragemen should have had even more points on the board. They had the bulk of possession and territory but on some occasions could not put the final moves together. However, after the dismal performance the previous weekend up at Novocastrians, the Whites will have had a confidence boost and hopefully this will continue into our next fixture at Guisborough.

The first score for Rovers came on 14 minutes when James Evens kicked a loose ball downfield and, with a great chase, dived on the ball as it went over the try line.

Straight from the restart, Rovers regained possession and Stewart Grazier who had started the move from just outside his own 22, broke upfield and after exchanging passes with Chris Sainty, he regained the ball and was rewarded with the try at the Steetley end.

Shortly afterwards and with the White Shirts on fire, the pack steamed to the line where hooker Jonny Cushlow powered over by the posts, to give an easy conversion for Chris Sainty, who put the side further ahead 17-0.

The rest of the half remained pretty even with neither side having a clear cut chance of scoring. It was soon after the break though when Rovers got their bonus point fourth try when Callum Whitehead drove over after latching on to the ball after a strong scrummage near the away line.

It was the opposition who then clawed back some points as they took advantage of a large gap in Rovers’ defence leaving Richie Moller to finish off and speed over the line. Stand-off Michael Mullins converting.

The Rovers pack were well on top now and on 60 minutes, Michael Tucker was aided over the line by his teammates to extend the lead to 27-7.

The final score came soon from another forward drive, this time Andrew Pinchen storming for the line for a converted try, Sainty adding the extra points for the closing score.

Rovers: Sainty, Jones, Lilley, Grand, A Smith, Evens, S Barnfield (A Arnell 73), Tucker, J Cushlow, I Pinchen (Wise 63), Power, Thubron (c)(A Pinchen 46), Whitehead, D Smith, Grazier

Ponteland: Newbigin, Britland, Watson, March, Storey, Mullins (Stoker 53), Redhead, Scott, Kelly (Norris 57), Steven (Kelly 76), Livingstone-Evans (Laverick 41), McGookin, Moller (c), Weeks, Byrne

Referee: Ben Blain (Cumbria Society)