SUNDERLAND SUFFER AT THE HANDS OF ROCKCLIFF
Sunderland’s unbeaten run was brought to an abrupt end in a closely contested five-try game away at table-topping Whitley Bay Rockcliff.
A slight reshuffle in the squad saw changes in the pack, with Richard Arrowsmith starting in front row for Ryan Buckley, Craig Elstob joining second row, Joe Arrowsmith returning from injury and Grant Edmundson starting.
Jack Hope moved from No8 to outside centre, as Dean Edmundson moved in to play scrum half and Dom Younger joined the replacements with Aarron Stevenson and Fletcher Jackson.
Sunderland went into the game looking to win and close the five-point gap that separated the two sides.
Sunderland started the game well, pressurising Rockcliff in attack and at the breakdown, winning a penalty just inside of the oppositions 10m line.
Leon Ryan stepped up to kick for goal, only for his effort to narrowly miss the mark.
Both sides defended resolutely in an open game and line outs were evenly matched.
Rockcliff opened scoring after an eventful 19 minutes, breaking the gain line to score a well worked try wide of posts.
Chris Little then sprinted through to score under posts converted by Ryan.
A conveyed try from driving maul for Rockcliff on 48 minutes, nudged the home side back into the lead, but Sunderland continued to make good ball available to create try scoring opportunities.
Rockcliff added their third converted score on 57 minutes.
However, Sunderland continued to press for points.
Grant Edmundson set Dean Edmundson away, only for the youngster to lose his footing and fall as he looked to release the pass to work the overlap.
Cam Meike made great tackles on the wings and was unlucky not to be found more when supporting the attack.
On 73 minutes, Sunderland were awarded a scrum 10 metres out. The pack drove forward and pushed Rockcliff back over their try line for Grant Edmundson to touch down the try.
The conversion attempt bounced back off the upright.
Sunderland pressed and created more good opportunities, Harry Price made good gains down the wing and Rockcliff threw bodies into breakdown area to keep Sunderland out.
As Sunderland worked their phases Ryan came into attacking line and took the ball on with Price in support.
Working the 15m channel, Ryan stepped in field and took ball into contact being stopped short of try line.
With no quarter given, both sides played at a great pace. With only a minute to go, the game was halted as Dean Edmundson tackled and ended up under his man suffering a dislocation and fracture to the wrist.
However, the spoils went to Rockcliff in a closely fought 21-12 win.