The Centurions were able to continue their fine league form in a tough encounter on a very heavy pitch.

Starting brightly, they took an early lead following a scrum and break from Rory Dixon. Oliver Hillary took over and showed his side-stepping ability to race away and score.

A rumble from Ed Weir was well supported by fellow forwards Robbie Binks and Ian Charlton. Alex Anson and Hillary provided an injection of pace to release Seb Jansen who cruised in at the corner.

Kael Horton rescued the ball at a line-out and Jeff Wheallans was on hand to drive forward. Quick hands from half-backs Sam Richardson and Ali Hopps allowed Jansen to run free and supply the powerful Jack Allen. The winger demonstrated his rugby league skills to force his way over. Those same skills were evident at the other end when he made a juddering defensive tackle to prevent an almost certain try.

Houghton were always in this game and they twice punished penalties conceded around halfway. These were kicked to the corner and, although they were held at the line-outs, powerful runners from deep went over from close range. One conversion left the score at the break, 12-15.

The second half was a close affair and see-sawed as both sides attacked at every opportunity.

Arin Pekdemir fielded the ball deep in his own half and set off on a mazey run. Joe Conley and Ethan McLeod secured the ball and were awarded a penalty. Dixon tapped, shipped the ball to Martyn Hutton who bulldozed forward, linked with Allen and the winger, now turned centre, crashed over for his second try. Dixon then added the conversion.

The home side were soon back in the contest and were rewarded by another close range try and conversion. They might have taken the lead when the ball was hacked through to stop just over the try line. A foot race between their flying winger and Spencer Tolley was a close run thing before the indefatigable Hillary appeared from nowhere to touch it down.

Adam Stembridge and Graeme Hutton made good ground down the left but were halted by a last-ditch tackle into touch. Dixon then appeared to have scored in the corner but the referee ruled he was in touch before grounding.

Thomas Greer decided that running from his own line was the interesting option. As he was caught, Horton and Tolley were able to help out, make ground and launch a near-exhausted Hillary on another long break. Running on empty, he was caught but the bustling Brogan Millar arrived to pick up the pieces and dive over despite the attentions of several defenders. Dixon added the points to re-estabish a buffer.

At the other end, young debutant winger Fabio Encarnacao and veteran Andy Purves combined to prevent a home score. Injured prop Dan Tate bravely came on near the end to try and hold out as the Tynedale line was battered.

A late break down the left wing saw another dive into the corner and the referee deemed this a fair try to Houghton despite protestations from defenders.

With little time left, the Centurions held firm to secure a praiseworthy win in an end to end encounter, played in heavy conditions against relentless opposition.