After starting the New Year with two defeats in the Durham and Northumberland League Division Three, Bishop Auckland Rugby Club bounced back to form with a couple of emphatic victories and have moved into a comfortable mid-table position.

Two weeks ago they visited bottom club West Hartlepool Amateurs and registered their biggest win of the season as they trounced the home side 80-0.

Despite spirited play from the Amateurs, Bishops were just too good for them.

All their practiced moves worked and their support play was excellent. Steed, on numerous occasions, burst through the Amateurs' defence to set up scoring opportunities for his colleagues.

Rispin and Gallone each scored three tries, Ross and Steed both added a brace and Fletcher and Bartle chipped in with one apiece. Bartle added to the home side's woes with ten conversions.

Last Saturday, Bishop Auckland welcomed South Tyne College to West Mills and overturned an earlier defeat with an excellent 18-13 result. Despite the mud and the rain, both sides produced some quality football and spectators who braved the elements were rewarded with a highly entertaining match.

Bishops opened the scoring when excellent handling across the face of the College posts allowed Steed to score in the corner.

When they failed to clear from the restart, however, South Tyne set up a strong attacking position from which they drove over to draw level.

Bartle added a penalty and Dufton, Steed and Sayer combined to move the ball the length of the pitch before Sayer was forced into touch a yard short of the line.

Bishops spoiled all their good work though as they conceded a number of penalties from which the College drove over for a second try to establish a 10-8 halftime lead.

After a brief flurry from the College, however, Bishops dominated the second period. Their forwards out-scrummaged their heavier opponents and their backs tackling smothered the threat from the College's speedy wingers.

Bartle's runs and kicks kept West Mills on the back foot and it was only fitting that Bishops went ahead from a piece of inspired running from Bartle which took him through the College defence to touch down under the posts. He converted his own try.

From one of their rare attacks the visitors kicked a penalty to close the gap to two points but Bishops remained firmly in control.

When Bartle was brought down, he responded appropriately by kicking the penalty and although some careless play from the home side allowed the College a last-minute attack, they were stopped well short of the line and the home side saw the game to a safe conclusion.