Both teams had been hit by call ups to senior sides and attendance at the Rugby League World Cup. However, the players on show produced an entertaining game in fine conditions.

Spencer Tolley made an early long break, held short, Callum Foxcroft arrived in support to secure possession. A quick switch found Jason Armstrong and the lock ran powerfully from 20 metres and managed to dive over theatrically to touch down.

Neat interplay in midfield involving Ali Hopps and Rory Dixon created a chance for centre Ryan Laverty who burst through a despairing defence and score with Dixon adding the conversion.

Martyn Hutton then punched a hole in the Shields cover allowing Rory Craney and Jonny Pape to go close from short range. An alert skipper Jake Sloan followed up to pick and dot the ball over the line.

A rampant Armstrong, always eager for work, crashed over for his second following a lightening break from prop forward Pape. Another Hutton drive saw the ball produced quickly to Rory Dixon who glided in from 30 metres before adding the points.

The shell-shocked visitors eventually settled down and scored a well-deserved try after Tolley made a try-saving tackle then attempted an ambitious cross kick that was fielded by a grateful Shields back row forward who powered over.

Quick-silver scrum-half Ben Horncastle, who had a fine game on his seasonal debut, darted over to restore the status quo before the seasiders came right back into the game with two late tries to leave the half-time score at 34-19.

North Shields pressed hard early in the second half but it was a long break by Laverty that completed the scoring for the day with a useful win for the Centurions.