Match Reports

impressive victories.

The seconds travelled to Bishop Auckland seconds buoyed by last weeks first win of the season and keen to make it two in a row.

After a nervy first few minutes the Sunderland forwards took the initiative dominating their Bishop counterparts and a series of pick and drives was finished off by Ryan Buckley who carried three defenders over the line with him from 15 m out to score the games opening try. Michael Walton added the conversion.

John Drummond added to the Sunderland lead when he was on the end of more good work from the forwards, powering over from close range. Walton added the extras for a 14-0 lead.

A lapse in concentration allowed Bishop back into the game as Sunderland failed to react to a quick lineout and Bishop ran in an easy try from 20 m out.

Normal service was soon resumed though for the Sunderland pack and this time Jack Bengochea the beneficiary of more good work from the pack. A great lineout take by Craig Elstob set up a driving maul which looked to be heading for the line until it was pulled down illegally. Bengochea peeled off from the back of the maul and squeezed in at the corner with a brilliant finish.

Stu Matthews rounded off the first half scoring when he picked from the back of a Sunderland scrum and ghosted over from close range.

Sunderland looked comfortable with a 24 points to five lead at half time but Bishop made a number of second half changes and came out of the blocks firing on all cyliders in the second half. Three quick fire tries through their much improved backline brought them to within a couple of points although Sunderland will be massively dissapointed with some of their defensive efforts.

Sunderland calmed their nerves as debutant James Read scored a try from close range with Sunderlands forwards reasserting their dominance.

Bishop hit back though with another well taken try from their backline and the succesful conversion drew the sides level at 29 all.

But Sunderland weren't to be denied and with the clock running down the Sunderland pack were able to force two quick penalties which were duly converted by Walton to give them a well deserved 35-29 victory. Stand out performances coming from man of the match James Cogdon and frllow back row John Drummond.

After a terrible start to the season the second team are growing in confidence while the spirit they showed to close out a victory when things seemed to going against them gives them a good base to build on in the coming weeks.

Sunderland thirds proved too strong for their counterparts from North Shields as they ran out winners by 20 points to 8. The points came through tries for Stevie Graham, Phil Belfield and John Grainger while Grainger added a conversion and a penalty.