Durham City

City's home league game against second-placed Billingham was the two sides' first competitive meeting since 1968.

Within two minutes of the kick-off foll, Gardiner was able to cross the line for a try converted by Bland to give City an early seven-point lead. Bland, hampered by having his usual kicking tee left behind at Winlaton the previous week, missed with several kicking opportunities during the match.

A quick ball across City's three-quarters, saw Higuchi outpace the opposition to score City's second try which was unconverted. Bland was brought down just short of the line as City kept up pressure against the much bigger Billingham side to go in to a 12-0 lead at half-time.

In the second half City continued to pressure Billingham and good lineout play from Price led to Lindsay and Johnson attacking to put Hryniszak for an unconverted try.

City exetended their lead to 24-0 after Bland broke through and converted his own try.

Billingham got back in the game and from a quick tap penalty formed what looked like an illegal flying wedge to score an unconverted pushover try.

City attacked from the drop out, the ball being hacked on for Higuchi to score his fifth try in two games.

Billingham, however, were not to be denied and from a five-metre scrum, got the ball out for their left wing to cross for an unconverted try in the corner. City attacked from the drop out but Billingham's wing from inside their own 22 scored a very good individual converted try closing the score to 29-17.

Ashington 0 V 43 Durham City II

City II travelled to Ashington and proved too strong a test for the home side, winning 43-0.

Ashington displayed some resilient defence during the opening half, but City's superior attacking potency yielded tries for winger Attwood, flanker Oates and scrum half Oxley. Fly half Dixon tagged on two conversions to give City a 19-0 lead at the turnaround.

City blew their opposition away oimn the second period. City were rewarded with a hat-trick from winger Openshaw and another try for Attwood, Dixon added two conversions to end a one-sided second half.

Durham City III 12 v 47 Wallsend II

A depleted City side were brushed aside in this one-sided game.

Blake and Warbrick got City's points in the heavy 12-47 defeat.

Cumbria Schools Under-18 Group 8 v 9 Durham Schools Under-18 Group

Durham stuck to their task at Austin Friars School Carlisle, where the heavy muddy pitch did not lend itself to running rugby but Durham were more than happy to turn round half time leaders 9-3.

All Durham's points came from the boot of David Kell (Durham School), the, Cumbrians replying with a first half try and second half penalty