Early lead overturned as leaders thump Prudhoe

A converted try edged P&S ahead at 7-5, but it was a false dawn as Aycliffe, who have lost just once this season, ran away with it in the second half to record a convincing 69-7 success.

Prudhoe traveled to their high flying hosts in confident mood after giving second placed South Shields a good game the week before, but were behind after 10 minutes when they found an extra man out wide.

It followed a moment of frustration as they ambled through to score from a five metre line-out, only for the referee to penalise them for obstruction.

But Prudhoe dominated the scrums throughout and they were ahead when Gerry Robinson picked up a loose ball and went over from a few metres out, Steven Henderson converting to put their noses in front at 7-5 with 20 played.

The lead didn’t last long though as Aycliffe regained the lead, before extending it with a third score five minutes later.

But the league leaders were time and again frustrated by Prudhoe’s dominance in the tackles, rucks and scrummages, until they gained their bonus point winning fourth try on the stroke of half time.

Five minutes into the second half, Prudhoe teammates Dave Henry and Steven Henderson suffered blood injuries after clashing with the former playing no further part as he needed stitches in an eye wound.

It left Prudhoe with just 14 men and, while their effort could not have bee faulted, the home side took full advantage to score seven tries and take the final score to 69-7.

A few refereeing decisions had Prudhoe frustrated and that boiled over as they were reduced to 13 men for a 10 minute spell as Henderson was sin binned after an exchange of views with the official.

Against the odds, the 13 men overpowered Aycliffe in the scrummage with the tight five of Will Foster, Mark Russell, Nick Sherwin, Michael Henderson and Dave Rogers enjoying some satisfaction in the heavy defeat.

After a free weekend, P&S return to action with a home game with Hartlepool TDSOB on April 2.