Sunderland travelled down the A19 to the fantastic facilities at Middlesbrough to compete in this year's County Cup on Sunday and left disappointed despite playing some excellent rugby. Playing in a group with Blaydon, Horden, Mowden Park and Westoe, the Ashbrooke side were expecting a tough day and so it proved.

First up were Westoe and from the first kick-off it was apparent that Sunderland had brought their game heads with them, tackling ferociously and moving the ball wide at every opportunity. The entire first half was played in Westoe's half of the pitch, but Sunderland failed to find the final pass when in good positions on several occasions. The deadlock was finally broken by a forward drive from a lineout, Elliot Leslie emerging from the bottom of a pile of bodies to claim the try that was duly converted by Joe Hodgson. The second half continued in much the same vain with Sunderland camped in the opposition half and looking good value for the 3 points until the last play of the match saw a long pass intercepted by the Westoe centre who gratefully ran the length of the pitch to score a converted try.

The Ashbrooke boys quickly put their obvious disappointment behind them in their next match against Mowden Park which they again totally dominated, but without converting their dominance into points. Two connverted tries from Elliot and Lewis Snaith were however enough to see off a tough Mowden side who liked to keep the ball tight in their front five.

After a short break, the Sunderland side faced Horden. A bruising encounter ensued in which there was very little between the sides, the game remaining scoreless up until half time. Sunderland finally got their noses in front when a determined drive by Aaron Curle saw him manage to just touch down in the corner. Sunderland looked to be heading through to the next stage when controversially the referee allowed play to go on well after the alloted 7 minutes was up despite there being a scrum and a lineout. Horden took full advantage of their good fortune to score with the last play of the game.

Sunderland could still progress if they managed to hold Blaydon to at least a draw, but agonisingly Blaydon scored the only try of the game again with the very last play and Sunderland lost out to Horden on the tries scored rule.

The Sunderland lads held their heads up high and showed maturity beyond their years in accepting what was a very bitter pill to swallow, a real credit to Sunderland Rugby Club, their parents and most importantly, themselves. Well done boys.

Team: Aaron Curle, Jake Hind, Drew Hind, Elliot Leslie, David Hanley, Joe Hodgson, Luke Park, Matthew Weston, Matthew Douglass, Josh Wilson, Dan Harrison, Joe Cooper, Tom Appleby, Joe Hunt and Saul Mitchell.