Tynedale Centurions 27 Blyth Marauders 5

In damp conditions, on a heavy pitch, both sides were fully committed and this game that was always in the balance.

The slippy ball made handling difficult and there were an unusually high number of scrummages. The home front row of Ed Weir, Robbie Binks, Alex Birkenshaw and later Dan Tate, had an important edge, particularly when the visitors lost a key prop to injury.

Indeed, the first two home tries came from good scrum ball. Firstly, centre Ali Hopps changed direction and used his physical advantage to barge over. Jonny Pape then tidied up at the base and allowed Dan Kerr to race under the posts leaving Spencer Tolley with a simple conversion.

Blyth had chances of their own but stout defending from Andy Stembridge, Alex Anson and Jake Sloan prevented near certain tries until their sharp scrum-half wriggled free to cross and reduce the deficit.

The home forwards regained a little control and drove close. Scrum-half Andy Harvey, courageous in defence and attack, burrowed over for an important try to leave the score at the break, 17-5.

A bright start saw Tolley and Dan Heppell make good ground down the right wing from halfway. Support arrived in the form of Ian Charlton and Joe Mills who were both held inches short. A tireless Brogan Millar was able to pick and dive through a narrow gap and score.

Blyth finished the game really well and created several chances. However, the home defence, well organised and led by skipper Martyn Hutton, held firm.

Good work in securing possession on the ground by Shaun Taylor led to a home free-kick. Quickly taken by Harvey, Kerr burst through for his second try, demonstrating again the cutting edge that was the only difference between the sides.

This important win, with maximum bonus points, maintained the Centurions position at the top of the Candy Aln League with only one game left to play. Second place Ashington have games in hand in an exciting climax to the league season.