In possibly the worst conditions for rugby, Sunderland "welcomed" Horden's Under 15s to Hill View to play their already once postponed County Plate Quarter Final fixture.

An early pitch inspection revealed that the ground was very soft but playable and since the thirds had played on it the day before, the wing areas were virtually untouched. However there was a bitingly cold wind blowing along the length of the pitch that later brought with it heavy rain and sleet as conditions deteriorated during the game.

Sunderland kicked off with the wind at their backs and dominated the early proceedings. The tight five of Will Sopp, Ewan Stalker, Drew Hind, David Handley and Lewis Snaith successfully followed the game plan of keeping the ball tight, and when the chance was on Luke Park looked to release the back line whenever possible. The home side were able to welcome Josh Wilson back into the outside centre channel for the first time since September and it was his break following some good work inside by Miles Fortune that led to the opening score. Tackled five metres short of the line, Wilson was able to off-load to the supporting Elliot Leslie who finished under the posts. Joe Hodgson added the extras for a 7-0 lead.

Horden came back into the game strongly after they fell behind, looking to move the ball through hands and counter-ruck strongly. A couple of half breaks took them to the home side's 22 but the chances were snuffed out by some excellent cover defense by Joe Hodgson, Sam Pickering and Andrew Pears. The Sunderland team gradually reasserted themselves on the game and were rewarded with two quick tries before the break. Firstly Miles Fortune crashed over for a five pointer, converted by Hodgson, before Dom Hill found a gap out wide to reach over and score a third for a half time lead of 19-0.

The Ashbrooke side were expecting an onslaught from Horden in the second period and so it proved. Two tries in quick succession just after the break reduced the arrears to 19-10 and when a third try was scored within five minutes, it seemed that Sunderland had blown their chance. But with players dropping like flies, notably scrum half Park and left wing Pickering, the home side rallied and pushed the visitors back towards their own line. A period of play literally on the Horden goal line was held up by some magnificent defence by the visitors, but their line was finally breached by a marauding run by Clayton Walker. A further two tries in the final 10 minutes by Luke Phillips finally broke the Horden resolve and the game ended with a 34-15 victory for the home side.

Every player from both sides is to be commended on their dedication and application in the face of the sub-zero conditions. They were both a credit to their clubs. Man of the match went to Joe Hodgson for his continued hard work for the full 60 minutes, tackling everything right up to the final whistle.