Durham and Northumberland RFUC 55 Newton Aycliffe RFC 3

On a bitterly cold afternoon with a gale force wind sweeping down the field, Bishop Auckland's 1st XV continued recent run of excellent results as they showed too much class for a makeshift Aycliffe side. While Aycliffe struggled to overcome a lengthy injury list, Bishop were again able to field their strongest side and the drive from-their rejuvenated back row allied to the pace and inventiveness of their backs proved to be a too much potent mixture for the visitors to cope with.

Bishop opened the scoring within minutes of the start. When a Campbell penalty rebounded from the post , they won a five-metre and from the first of hooker Mapes' many winning strikes, scrum-half Colwell sent winger Oxley over in the corner. Aycliffe mounted a spirited response, but when the ball went loose Blanch took it to within, ten-metres of the Aycliffe line. Colwell broke away from the scrum, passed to John who drew the defence before sending Campbell over 'm the corner. Bishop added to their score almost immediately when John broke through the Aycliffe line to send full-back Dent over for their third try. A well worked penalty move saw Campbell burst through some ineffective Aycliffe tackling for his second try of the match, which he converted, and in the dying seconds of the half, Paul Ellis kicked a penalty to open Aycliffe's account but leave them trailing 22-3 at half time. As Aycliffe tired, Bishop pressed home their advantage. Sayer picked up a loose ball and ran in a try from some 30-metres out and was quickly followed by Mapes who ran twenty metres before passing to Blanch who touched down under the posts. Fletcher and Dent combined to send Sayer over for a second try and the back row wound things up as Carroll picked up from the base of the scrum, passed on to Bartle who put Oxley over in the corner. Campbell added four conversions to bring his personal tally to twenty.

Seaham RFC 34 Bishop Auckland RUFC 2nd XV 10

Bishop Auckland's 2nd XV put up an excellent display against a strong Seaham 1st XV with a number of younger players showing an encouraging commitment. Bishop's points came from a try from Hodgson and a penalty and conversion from Colin Hamilton. The forwards, led by Alan Layfield, produced a sound overall display.