PRUDHOE & Stocksfield recorded an impressive 24-6 victory over South Shields in their first game at home in more than six weeks.

Conditions didn’t allow for a fast, expansive game so P&S worked through the phases and made several forays into Shields territory but handling errors and attempts to force the play broke down several good passages of play.

Space began to open up, however, and it wasn’t long before Yannick Debil continued his remarkable try-scoring run. Alex Fitton tore through a midfield gap and the ball was recycled quickly, leaving the Shields defence scrambling to get back.

Will Foster drew two tacklers towards him before popping the ball to Debil, leaving him the easy task of scoring under the post.

Shields replied with pressure of their own, but P&S held firm with superb tackles repelling multiple attacks.

An infringement did allow Shields to get themselves on the scoreboard, and the visiting 12 duly obliged to make it 7-3 at the break, with the game still in the balance despite an impressive first half.

P&S changed tack slightly in the second half, avoiding the offloads attempted in the first half and opting for a slow, pick and go game more suited to the conditions. Chris Patterson at 10 played the territory game well, kicking into the corners and keeping Shields pinned back.

The pressure soon told, and P&S were able to score again. A tap penalty was taken quickly on the five metre line, and quick hands from Brogan Millar allowed Matty Nevin to fly into the corner.

Buoyed by their success, P&S came out of the blocks quickly and scored again straight from the restart. Ryan Chamberlain claimed well and linked up well with Foster, before Debil and Nathan Moore made some significant ground. Debil passed unselfishly to Danny Whiley, who scored in the corner to make it 17-3.

Shields responded with another penalty to make it 17-6, but they were forced into an error when trying to play out from their own try line. Good pressure saw a knock-on easily gathered by Patterson, who scored to make it 24-6 and secure a bonus point win.