PRUDHOE and Stocksfield were left frustrated after a narrow loss to Yarm RFC.

P&S went into the game determined to improve the defence that has been struggled in the previous two games this season.

However, they eventually ran out losing 36-32 in a tight game.

Ryan Chamberlain and Will Foster started in the front row, whilst James Bradshaw moved to his favoured position on the flank.

In the backs, Steven Henderson returned at 10 and Matty Nevin took a starting spot on the right wing.

P&S played uphill first and started emphatically by winning the kick off thanks to a great kick chase by Daniel Whiley. After several phases, Yarm conceded a penalty which Henderson duly converted.

From the kick off, Chamberlain claimed an excellent catch to drive P&S back up the hill. Yarm’s ill discipline at the breakdown gave Henderson another shot at goal which he took to make the score 6-0

However, Yarm’s excellent trio of 9,10, and 12 started to get hands on the ball dictate proceedings.

A break downfield from the visitor’s 10 had P&S scrambling to get back. Despite stemming the initial flow, the powerful number 8 crashed over to score, making it 6-5.

P&S came back with strong carries from Foster, Chamberlain and Alex Fitton to push the Yarm defence back.

Danny Whiley interlinked with Yannick Debil, feeding flying winger Nevin who spun his way through a tackle to score a fantastic try and make it 11-5.

However, P&S’s inability to prevent soft scores was evident again, when Yarm scored another two tries through lapses in the defence, to the frustration of coach Russell.

With the score at 11-17, Chamberlain carried strongly through midfield before quick recycling of the ball saw Debil charge towards the line. Despite the covering defence, Henderson was in support before he showed composure to offload the ball to Luke Masters, who made no mistake to bring P&S back into the game, 18-17.

The final try of a pulsating first half again went to the home side. Debil stole a line out to jink his way through the crowd of players to stretch over and extend the P&S lead to 25-17.

Yarm came back in the second half, capitalising on P&S errors to bring themselves back into the game.

An overthrown lineout on the P&S five-metre line gave the Yarm number 8 the easy task of bashing over from close range to to make it 25-24.

P&S introduced fresh legs as Dave Rodgers, Dan Tate and Karl Main added fresh legs to the pack and Kieran Reilly and Jonathon Dodds added pace out wide.

From a set piece P&S got their fourth try of the day and Debil’s second. Foster powered towards the line, and good support and aggression at the breakdown allowed Debil the chance to pick and go, stretching over to give P&S a 32-24 lead.

Despite losing their blindside flanker to the sin bin for a high tackle, Yarm began to chase the game and made great progress up their left wing.

Dave Rodgers made a fantastic effort to make a try saving tackle, but the winger just had the reach to touch the ball down and make it 32-29 with just eight minutes left. Yarm’s left winger touched down again despite attention from Henderson. The converted try gave Yarm a 32-36 victory, leaving P&S disappointed but with two losing bonus points.