After last weekend's stalemate against Middlesbrough, Sunderland were out-battled and outfought in a double header at Durham City.
The reigning county champions walked in three unanswered tries, as the Ashbrooke youngsters were unable to get to grips with the foul weather conditions. Russell Chapman-Smith ran in a lone score for the Wearsiders, but City plundered three more tries to claim a deserved 30-5 win.
Facing Houghton, Sunderland handed debuts to three players: Jack Carroll, James Mitchell and Darren Weldon. Houghton grabbed opportunities to attack out wide and were 5-0 up in the first five minutes. Josh Jobling crossed for an equaliser for Sunderland, however in the closing seconds, Houghton charged down an Ashbrooke clearance kick, pouncing on the loose ball to claim the winning try. Houghton 10-Sunderland 5.