NORTHALLERTON STALLIONS 42 - 20 SUNDERLAND

Northallerton Stallions continued their promising start to the North East division of the Co-operative Rugby League Conference making it three wins from four outings with a 42 – 20 victory over Sunderland.

The visitors took an early lead following poor Stallions defence before a defensive error allowed home centre Nick Croker the opportunity to bring the scores level with a simple touchdown.

Seven minutes later Stallions forced a Sunderland drop out and a great return from stand off Steve Horsley set up the position for Rob Johnson to score. Horsley added the conversion to give the hosts a 10 – 4 lead going into the second quarter.

Another good Horsley break put winger Graham Schofield in space and the youngster finished well. Horsley was wide with the extras but with six minutes to the break, Matt Lambert-Cluderan scored the first of two quick fire tries. Both conversions missed but on the half time whistle scrum half Johnson scored his trade mark length of the field interception try. With captain Lee Worsnop tagging on the two points Northallerton enjoyed a 28 – 4 lead at the break.

The second half started well for the visitors who scored twice in the first thirteen minutes bringing the score to 28 – 16 whilst enjoying a real purple patch as the hosts struggled to find their first half form.

Northallerton regained the initiative though when Rob Johnson crossed for his hat trick following an outrageous dummy on 57 minutes finishing a fine 90 metre move.

Two tries in four minutes from Mark Ball, the first converted by Horsley, gave the home side a 42 – 16 lead but Sunderland enjoyed the final score with three minutes remaining to leave the final score Northallerton Stallions 42 – Sunderland 20.

After the game Stallions head coach Steve Worsnop was delighted with the improvement from his troops. “We won our first two games without playing well and came up well short at Jarrow last week” he said. “We failed to execute the basics last week and got what we deserved. Today we started to put the things we work on in training into our game and were rewarded for a much better defensive effort and better ball retention. Today was a good all round performance and I am pleased for the boys”.

This coming weekend the Stallions face the tough trip up the A19 to face title favourites Peterlee Pumas and Worsnop knows that only further improvement will continue the Stallions progress. “We will need to move up another gear to compete next week. We do have a bigger, stronger squad now though so competition for places will hopefully bring out the best in the players”.


Northallerton Stallions: Andrew Tuley, Tommy Greaves, James Tyreman, Nick Croker, Graham Schofield, Stephen Horsley, Rob Johnson, Jonathan Flanagan, Lee Worsnop, Kevin Quigg, Ollie Mabbott, Miles Middleton, Don Payne
Interchanges: Tony Scurr, Mark Ball, Matt Lambert-Cluderam, Will Boersma, Baz Green, Matt Foster, Gavin Cole

Scorers: Tries – Nick Croker, Graham Schofield, Matt Lambert-Cluderam (2), Mark Ball (2), Rob Johnson (3)
Conversions: Steve Horsley (2), Lee Worsnop


Man of the Match
Stallions: Rob Johnson