A Bridge to Far for Bishop 2nds

Lost 23 - 5

Bishop Auckland 2XV visited Sunderland III on a high but this was not going to be an easy match, Sunderland were primarily a set of old heads that had been around the block a few times and who definitely knew the tricks of the trade.

The match started again in a blistering heat wave and on face value Bishop looked evenly matched against a Sunderland side however, a soon lost ball from a scrappy line out in Bishops 22 was quickly recycled out and down the Sunderland line for an easy try. Bishop got straight back into Sunderland but were held for 25minutes in their own 22 and displayed some impressive defending before young Zac Hole and Sean Ellison worked their magic and stole the ball from the Sunderland backs. From here Michael Beech, took the ball from his own 22 and ran the full length of the pitch like a bullet being propelled from a colt 45, now the scores were even at 5-5. This was Sunderland's first taste of what the backs were capable of and it clearly shook them as for the rest of the half the ball stayed in the pack were they were made to work hard by Bishop before they scored a try right on half time.

The second half started as the first ended and Bishop were back in there own 22 defending the line. Although the game was hard and made worse by the heat, Bishop kept their form and managed to give the backs more ball were young Sean Ellison gave the old boys of Sunderland some lessons in tackling with the ball. Even with these impressive displays it was not going to be Bishops day. Sunderland used their knowledge and disrupted Bishop who gave away 3 penalties and Sunderland increased their lead to 23 points.

Gary Hamilton came on with 20minutes to play and injected some fire into the game and quickly started chomping on the heels of the Sunderland scrum half, having said that, the sly kisses Gary was giving him soon got him wound up and it was,nt long before they were exchanging handbags!!.Now the tables of power were starting to shift and the ball was being spun out from the line outs like a dart from the great arm of the darting legend Eric Bristow. The backs were being brought into the game but it was a bridge to far for Bishop as Sunderland defended their position very well and kept Bishop at bay were the game ended at 23 – 5.

The match was played in great spirit and although Bishop had been beaten, they have come away knowing that there won’t be many matches as hard as this one was. On another day this could have a been a win for Bishop, indeed the return match will no doubt have a different outcome and a one worth making an appointment with. The Bishop boys did everything right on the day and the only difference being was that Sunderland were a more established side with a vast amount of experience.

Forwards man of the match was given to Michael Beech and backs man of the match to Sean Ellison.