Colts go Dutch after storming success

Sunderland Colts warmed up for their Easter tour to Amsterdam by outgunning Bishop Auckland 44-12 at blustery Hill View.

The Ashbrooke lads meant businesss from the off and a great charge down from Dev Koca saw the ball recycled to the backs, with Hutchinson and Fletcher Jackson feeding Groark to score in the corner.

Hutchinson’s superb penalty kick into the corner, after a tremendous barging run from Brad Wall, ended with Michael Holder grounding the ball for the second try, and a 10-0 lead.

Bishops hit back and looked likely to score, but Sunderland defended their 22 excellently and soon increased their lead with a carbon copy of their first try, with Groark again finishing in the corner . The visitors capitalised on a sloppy line-out to cut the deficit to 15-5 by half-time. Sunderland, though, started the second half well and Brad Lindsay surged over for a 20-5 lead, before Jackson’s well-timed pass set Farai Chickumbrike away. He was unlucky not to score, but quick ball from the backs soon brought a fifth try.

A first converted try followed, for a 32-5 lead as Jackson released Matthew Sanderson, who accelerated to score under the posts, with Holder adding the extra points.

Another pinpoint kick by Hutchinson led to a line-out and a first try for Under-16 player Benji, then Koca bagged the eighth and final Sunderland score, with Holder converting, though Bishops grabbed a deserved second try late on to make it 44-12.