WHILE Jarrovians had lost every game for two seasons going into the 2016-2017 campaign, an influx of new players and a new coach see them pushing for a top half finish this time around.

Yet the much improved away side were no match for Prudhoe and Stocksfield who put in an excellent all-round performance to earn all five points for the first time this season.

They were particularly outstanding in the first half, building up a 20-point lead which left their guests out of view.

The game was closer than the scoreline suggest, and the early exchanges saw both sides move forward as they asked questions of the opposition.

The initial scrums were also even, but it was the hosts who made use of heading down the slope as they racked up the first points of the afternoon.

Good interchange play from Luke Masters, Dan Whiley and Steven Henderson create a great opening for Ben Archer, and he ran in unopposed for the first try of the game, which was converted by Henderson.

The home side increased their lead soon after when Henderson kicked ahead and caught the isolated catcher, who hung on to the ball too long for the referee’s liking.

A penalty was awarded and Henderson duly obliged to put P&S 10 points clear.

Jarrovians were playing some good rugby but were no match for Prudhoe whose scrum was solid, Adam Murphy and Will Foster propping and Matt Jefferson and skipper Dave Henry alert to constantly pick up off the base of any scrum won by the visitors.

The key feature to the home side was their defence line speed and, as soon as a Jarrovian back got the ball, they were immediately closed down at speed by a P&S equivalent, with Masters particularly prominent.

Jarrovians sought to kick upfield and gain ground whenever they did get the ball, but this tactic proved their downfall on 25 minutes when it led to a second Prudhoe try.

Whiley took a ball cleanly and showed a clean pair of heels to a stretched Jarrovians defence as he headed out wide, scoring in the left corner for 15-0. Five minutes later, Jarrovians were again opened up with Masters this time crossing the line and putting the home side firmly in the driving seat at 20 points to nought.

As the half drew to a close, inexperience mixed with frustration cost Michael Henderson a 10-minute cooling off period as he fell foul of the referee’s rules.

And this allowed the visitors to end the half strongly, a forwards try in the top corner getting the scoreboard ticking.

Jarrovians upped their game after the break but spent most of the half camped in their own half as P&S remained dominant, Chris Patterson leading the charge as they won phase after phase.

Michael Henderson made up for his earlier dismeanour 15 minutes after the break as he guided the pack over the line from a five metre scrum for a classic push-over try, earning his side the bonus point for four tries.

The try provoked the visitors into action and it was again the forwards that led the way as they finally got over the line after several times of trying.

The home side were happy to see out the game and record the victory against the best Jarrovians side seen at Stocksfield for many years.

The performance from the entire team, particularly in the opening 40 minutes, suggests that the team could progress well in the league if players remain available, and Saturday’s home game with Yarm will be a big indicator of how they have developed.