PRUDHOE and Stocksfield were unable to make their second half dominance count as they lost 27-15 at home to Richmondshire.

They were camped out in their opponents‘ half for the remaining half hour but the visiting defence held firm as they leaked just one try to make their trip back to Yorkshire one of relief.

Prudhoe started on fire and, from the opening line out, scrumhalf Chris Patterson darted over the line from a few metres out to put his side 5-0 ahead.

The hosts looked determined to keep the pressure up but, within 10 minutes, found themselves trailing as Richmond ran in two quick tries to stun P&S.

The Tyne Valley side still looked the most likely to score though, and it was little surprise they reduced arrears albeit from a Steven Henderson penalty.

Prudhoe were met by a swift and aggressive Richmondshire side at the breakdown and, despite finding themselves on the wrong end of the referee’s whistle time and again, they moved quickly upfield and scored a well taken try.

The first half was brought to a close as the Yorkshiremen claimed a bonus point for a fourth try despite appeals of a double movement, and they went into the break 24-8 ahead.

It was all Prudhoe after the break but they couldn‘t ground the ball as they broke through following three scrums, an away player frustrating them by touching the ball down in the goal area.

To add to P&S’ frustrations, a breakaway dash up the pitch by Richmond led to a successful penalty which took the score to 27-8.

As Prudhoe pegged the away side back for the final 30 minutes, the penalty count against them rose but the hosts were only able to claim a pushover try by captain Jack Liddle, converted by Henderson.

After the 27-15 defeat, Prudhoe can climb the table with success over Washington on Saturday if ninth placed Hartlepool BBOB fail to get anything from their game with high flying Yarm.