PONTELAND extended their winning streak to eight games after a dominant display against Whitby kept them top of Northern Division Two.

They won 48-0 after getting to grips with a strong wind which made conditions difficult for both teams.

But it was the Maroons who strung together some fantastic phases, before giving winger Josh Beswick the walk in at the corner after just six minutes.

Seven minutes later, second row Ben Stewart demonstrated his raw power as a direct carry some five metres out saw him barge his way over the line.

Captain Michael Searle stepped up to kicking duties in the tough conditions, and after placing two banana shaped kicks, he was able to add the extras on both occasions.

The contest between the two sides continued, although some creative play from scrum half Luke Bailey saw him create space for himself to score. He sold an outrageous dummy before touching down.

In one of the final plays of the half, the hosts executed some fast hands, whipping the ball across the width of the pitch.

Back rower Courtney West spotted a large overlap on the right flank, and sailed a long pass to Beswick who took on the defenders before offloading to Stewart, who scored his second try which secured a vital bonus point.

Searle once again demonstrated his ability to kick with the wind behind his back as he sunk his third and fourth attempt between the sticks, to make it 28-0 at half time.

The second half started with Whitby constructing some strong attacking carries, but they were unable to maintain possession in the Ponteland half.

The Maroons extended their lead in the 56th minute. A dominating scrum provided the platform for James Treanor, who was able to scoop the ball and scramble his way over the whitewash.

Home fans had to wait just 10 more minutes before man of the match Larry Mew scored his first try of the day via a short-range pick and go.

With just three minutes to go, full back Patrick Holliday managed to work his way on to the scoresheet after stepping his opposite man and going in to score untouched down the left side.

Then just two minutes later, Mew forced his way through the Whitby defence to claim his second try of the day and round off a memorable Ponteland performance.

The Maroons are set to host Darlington on Saturday. Darlington are ninth in the league, and level on points with Whitby.

Ponteland will have to work hard once again, but few teams in the division will be able to cope with the level of performance they executed against Whitby.