Bishop Auckland: Bishop Auckland completed their home fixtures with a comfortable win against Stockton in the Tees Valley Social League, writes Malcolm Pratt.

The first half saw Bishops back to something like their normal form with the forwards rucking well and the backs moving the ball with confidence and pace.

The visitors looked like providing strong opposition but it was Bishops who went ahead with early scores.

Sayer struck a penalty quickly followed with DiMuccio and Ramrattan combining to send Dodds over in the corner.

Stockton hit back with a well-worked move at the front of the line out to earn a try but the home side were quick to widen the gap. They won a scrum in midfield and Brabban got the ball out to Bartle who carved his way through the Stockton defence before passing inside to Sayer whose pace took him through to the posts for a try he converted.

Bishops continued to play positive and entertaining rugby and when Dodds took an excellent catch in the line out Brabban again got a quick ball to Bartle who touched down. Sayer added a second penalty to give Bishops a 23-5 half time lead.

The second half was scrappy as Bishops tended to get in each other's way and some careless handling let Stockton back into the game.

The home side failed to clear Stockton's second-half kick-off and conceded a number of penalties from which Stockton eventually drove over under the posts for a converted try.

Strong running by Ross took Bishops back up field and Sayer broke free to send DiMuccio over for their fourth try of the afternoon but Stockton continued to press and when they put over a high kick, home defenders made a hash of trying to field the ball. The Stockton fly-half was left with a simple run to the line for a converted try.

Bishops re-asserted themselves and gained control to run out comfortable winners.

On Saturday, Bishops complete their Durham and Northumberland League fixtures with a trip to Seghill in the knowledge that their position is secure in Division Three where they will be joined by Barnard Castle relegated from Division Two.

On Sunday, Bishops hold their annual Ted Robinson Memorial seven-a-side Tournament. With two sides from the University and strong squads from Durham City and Yarm taking part an excellent afternoon's entertainment is in store. Play begins at 1pm and all are welcome.

Bishop Auckland Colts

Bishop Auckland Under-17s won an exciting game 28-21 against Seaton Carew, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

The home side withstood early pressure and opened the scoring. After winning a ruck, Bishops passed the ball through the hands of fly half Richard Macnair and inside centre James Thompson who made space to allow winger Luke Crossing to burst through and score the first try which was converted by Macnair.

From the kick-off, however, a mistake allowed Seaton Carew back into the game and a converted try levelled the score at 7-7.

Bishops were soon back on the attack with some excellent commitment from forwards Gareth Edwards, Kris Poskett and scrumhalf Mark Turner.

The home regained the lead when Edwards picked up from the base of the scrum and fed Turner to run in for a try which was converted by MacNair.

Bishops remained in control and improved their advantage when Turner fed MacNair who was able to pass out of a tackle to supporting hooker Steven Denton to score. MacNair again converted to increase the lead to 21-7 at half time.

Bishops started the second half strongly and kept the visitors pinned in defence. Strong scrummaging and defensive work were rewarded when Bishops Thompson picked up a loose pass and crossed the line for their fourth try. Again Macnair was successful with the kick, extending Bishops lead to 28-7.

By now Bishops were in full control and although fullback Simon Kay looked like he was away to score after a 50-metre run, he was bravely tackled. The home side then allowed the gap to close with two late converted tries but they hung on to record an excellent and well-deserved victory.

Durham

Durham put two sides out at Under-15 level against Cheshire at the weekend and the A game was extremely competitive with the lead changing hands five times.

Durham were a try down almost from the kick off when a fumble near their own line led to the Cheshire forwards mauling the ball over the Durham line. This was converted but Durham hit back with a well crafted try, the ball passing sweetly along the backs so that Lewis Collier (Yarm /Darlington RFC) was able to race in at the corner. Soon after Rory Clegg (Barnard Castle) struck a penalty to give Durham the lead for the first time. A Cheshire penalty early in the second half restored Cheshire's lead but Durham attacked incessantly and were rewarded when Nick Whitley (Harton/Westoe) went over from a maul, Clegg converting.

Five minutes from the end, Cheshire worked an excellent unconverted try to tie the scores and with the last kick of the game, the fly half dropped a goal a la Jonny Wilkinson for Cheshire to win 18-15.

The B game ended with victory for Cheshire by 32-7.