Bowman on target early for Rockcliff

ROCKCLIFF resumed their Durham and Northumberland Division Two campaign with a ruthlessly-efficient 45-14 victory against a combative Sedgefield.

Coaches Darren Cunningham and Craig Hamilton selected a team almost at full strength for a fixture many considered could go the way of the home team if Rockcliff showed any complacency on the pitch.

The Whitley Bay side started strongly and after two minutes Bowman had trundled across for his trademark try.

Playing on Sedgefield’s small square pitch, sloping on four sides from an apex in the north west corner, the Red and Gold forwards found it tough going against the home side.

However, they soon worked out how to gain the upper hand and exerted all sorts of pressure on the opposition forwards.

Try two followed for the visitors as Pentland crossed in almost identical fashion to the first score, converted by Hansen.

Four minutes before the break Pentland crashed over the whitewash in a similar fashion to the previous tries, again converted by Hansen.

Ramage then smashed over for the fourth and bonus-point try after leaving a trail of destruction in the Sedgefield defence.

The versatile Donnelly replaced Webster just before the break and at half-time Rockcliff led by 24 unanswered points.

The second period started much as the first had, Bowman crossing the try line, converted by Hansen, before coach Cunningham brought in the changes in the pack - bringing on Moore and Thomson and resting Hamilton and Hall.

Another forward move saw Alex Hayton striding away, being caught, recycling the ball and then going over for a deserved try, converted by Hansen with the best kick of the day from out wide.

Thomson then trundled over, again converted by Hansen, to complete Rock’s scoring.

Sedgefield started a fightback and, with Rockcliff reduced to 13 men when two players were sinbinned, scored two well-taken tries - both converted.

Rockcliff hold on to top spot ahead of North Shields and now look forward to successive home games against Ryton, Darlington and Bishop Auckland.