Sunderland reached the semi finals of the Durham County 7s at Gateshead with a string of battling performances.
In the group stages of the shortened form of the game, they drew 5-5 with Middlesbrough, having had two tries disallowed, with Bryson Robinson the lone scorer. The swept aside hosts Gateshead 20-0, with a brace for Russell Chapman-Smith, and one each for Josh Jobling and Adam Williams. In their final pool match they raced to a 15-0 lead against Houghton, with scores for Sam Watson, Jobling and Robinson. Houghton battled back with two tries, but couldn't secure a draw, as the Ashbrooke youngsters advanced.
Facing a strong Ryton side, Sunderland went down 40-0 in the semis having lost three players to injuries. Ryton eventually lost out to Durham City in the finals.