Sunderland u12s had to dig deep, before emerging 30-15 winners away to Bishop Auckland.
Decimated by injuries, we travelled with 12 and 12 played.
In a tight first half, the Ashbrooke youngsters found themselves 10-0 up after two powerful surges through midfield, leading to scores for Bryson Robinson.
Bishop pegged Sunderland back, with two breakaway tries after slipping tackles in midfield. Jack Taylor bulldozed over to see Sunderland take the lead 15-10, before half time.
Sunderland's defence kept Bishop at bay, lead by James Marshall and supported by Harry Thompson and Will Stafford.
After the break, a chip and chase by Josh Jobling, saw Russell Chapman-Smith turn the ball over, for Jobling to follow up with a try. Robinson added a third and Chapman-Smith capped a fine performance with a well worked try to see Sunderland close the game out.