In breezy conditions, Lancashire opened the scoring with a try by full back Danielle Wiseman, which was converted by fly half Meghan Montgomery A couple of minutes later, Durham scored an unconverted try by scrum-half Sydnie Grace.

Lancashire scored a second try by Lauren McCluskey, Montgomery adding the conversion.

Durham replied with a second try from centre Kirsty Paterson which was converted by fly-half Laura Envy

Wiseman scored Lancashire’s third unconverted try, so the half-time score was Durham 12, Lancashire 19.

From the second half kick off, Durham equalised the scores with a try by replacement Toni Thomkins, which Envy converted.

Lancashire came back with a fourth try by centre Selena Lockyer through slack defending by Durham, Merrick adding the conversion. Adding a fifth unconverted try by Wiseman, her hat-trick.

In injury time, Durham’s never-say-die attitude bore fruit when Thomkins scored her second try, the conversion going inches wide of the posts, leaving the final result as a draw 31 – 31.

DURHAM WOMEN

15 Tara Breslin (Acklam)
14 Ursula Hardy (Teesside University)
13 Kirsty Paterson (Sunderland)
12 Danielle Andrews (Sunderland)
11 Karen Stubbs Donkin (Sunderland)
10 Laura Envy Sunderland
9 Sydnie Grace (Sunderland)
1 Lisa Dobby (Darlington)
2 Kathleen Huggins Hall (Darlington)
3 Jodie Edwards (Sunderland & Durham University)
4 Alison Lodge (Darlington
5 Jess Cheesman (Darlington (Capt.)
2

6 Yoliswa Sindile (Teesside University & Darlington)
7 Saskia Ryan Munden (Darlington)
8 Alison Bell (Darlington)

REPLACEMENTS
16 Tracy Kelly (Darlington)
17 Rachel Hark (Sunderland)
18 Helen Jones (Sunderland)
19 Toni Thomkins (Darlington)
20 Amber Stonehouse (Sunderland)
21 Alexandra Webster (Durham University)

MENS’ MATCH

DURHAM 6 V LANCASHIRE 17

The mens’ match was marred from poor refereeing, many of the decisions baffling the knowledgeable crowd.

A penalty by Durham’s skipper, fly half Peter Evans opened the scoring. He missed two others in the first half, one rebounding off a post, which, if he’d kicked them, would have given Durham a half-time lead..

Lancashire scored an unconverted try by centre Scott Rawlings, so at half-time Durham trailed by 2 points, 3 – 5.

Evans scored a second penalty for Durham in the second half, however, Lancashire scored two more tries, the first by winger Jordan Dorrington, converted by fly half Chris Johnson, and a third unconverted try by Rawlings.

Both sides worked very hard throughout the game, Lancashire’s defence battling overtime to keep Durham out.

Durham play their third matches against Cheshire next Saturday at Darlington Mowden Park’s Northern Echo Arena ground, the women’s match kicking off at 12.30 and the mens’ at 3.00.

DURHAM
15 Elliott Husband (Durham University & Billingham)
14 Craig Dominic (Darlington Mowden Park)
13 Joe Evans (Billingham)
12 Arnie Stevenson (Durham City)
11 Paul Armstrong (Durham City)
10 Peter Evans (Billingham) (Capt.)
9 Danny Finney (Billingham)
1 Alec Clarey (Hartbury College)
2 Tom Larder (Darlington Mowden Park)
3 Trevor Davidson (Blaydon)
3

4 Van Den Ries (Darlington Mowden Park)
5 Talite Vaioletti (Darling ton Mowden Park)
6 Dan Boatman (West Hartlepool)
7 Dan Burns (Billingham)
8 Sam Miller (West Hartlepool)

REPLACEMENTS
16 Philip Stewart (Blaydon)
17 Martin Hopley (Billingham)
18 Nathan Myers (Wharfedale)
19 Andrew Rollins (West Hartlepool)
20 Owen Bennett (West Hartlepool)
21 Ryan Kirkbride (Billingham)
22 Robert Morris (Blaydon)
23 Rex Nareki (Bishop Auckland)