WHILE the scoreline suggests a drubbing, Prudhoe and Stocksfield Rugby Club can take many positives from their 31-8 reversal to Yarm.

Playing their first home game of the season, P&S were well in the game throughout the 80 minutes with the final scoreline somewhat flattering to the away side.

The first half saw both sides test the opposing defences, Prudhoe shading the penalty count with Steven Henderson converting one while Yarm managed the only try to go 7-3 ahead.

Yarm were reduced to 14 men soon after the restart but the hosts were unable to make the extra man count - before they too saw yellow when winger Raj deliberately knocked the ball on to prevent a try scoring opportunity.

The away side were happy to take advantage and ran in two tries during the 10 minute period. Yet the game continued to swing from end-to-end with the introduction of the experienced trio of Nick Sherwin, Dave Rogers and Hicker Reed shoring things up for Prudhoe despite Yarm managing their fourth try.

P&S continued to work hard and, from a distance of less than five metres, Reed rolled back the years and rumbled over the line for the first home try of the season.

Yarm dominated the final 10 minutes and secured a fifth try to end the scoring.