PRUDHOE and Stocksfield were forced into a raft of changes for the trip to Jarrovians in a Durham and Northumberland League Division Three encounter.

But despite missing several key players due to injuries and unavailability, they were boosted by the return of Robert Reid, whileChris Nicholls played at number 12 for the first time, and ran out convincing 43-12 winners.

Playing into a strong wind, P&S dictated the play after surviving an initial burst from the big home pack. Strong tackling and a desire to work hard in defence ensured Jarrovians were unable to gain territory, before reverting to kicking to the grateful Danny Whiley, who ran at every opportunity. P&S took the lead after patient attacking play from the forwards, with Ryan Chamberlain a constant thorn in the home side’s defence.

A quick rewind ball was delivered allowing Yannick Debil the opportunity to dummy his way under the posts for 7-0.

P&S attacked again, and strong carries through midfield by Chris Nicholls and Luke Masters put the visitors on the front foot. Debil took the ball on, beating two would be tacklers before offloading to Ryan Keates, enjoying a superb debut on the flank. He showed great awareness and composure to feed Reid who in turn gave Raji Kingman the opportunity to score his first try for the club.

After strong running from Nathan Moore and Steven Henderson, the ball was moved into midfield where Chamberlain and Will Foster handled superbly, before the ball made its way to Whiley to score in the corner for 17-0. Whiley then assisted a try for Chris Patterson to make it 24-0 at half time.

Jarrovians responded with a try early in the second half, and scored again when a missed tackle in midfield allowed the inside centre to charge 50 metres upfield. A simple inside pass saw the deficit reduced to 24-12.

P&S retained their composure and used the conditions to pin Jarrovians in their own 22. They struggled to clear their lines, and a turnover ball found its way to Chamberlain, who dummied his way over the line.

With nobody on the replacements’ bench, P&S relied on their impressive fitness levels to continue controlling the game. From a scrum penalty, a full eight man drive allowed Debil the easy task of picking and driving over the line for his second of the day.

Debil completed his hat trick as he ripped the ball in contact and sauntered in from 40 metres to compete the scoring which was duly converted by Henderson. Patterson was man of the match. P&S host Houghton on Saturday.