Ponteland had the edge in the first period as the forwards provided a good platform enabling their centre and right wing to finish well. Indeed, it required last ditch tackles from Alex Anson, Josh Schollick and Ali Hopps, together with good covering from full-back Spencer Tolley, to prevent further scores by the visitors.

Strong driving by forwards Joe Mills, Michael Ramsay and Hugh Holland-Creaven created good field positions at times but a stout Pont defence stood firm until just before half-time. The competitive Ian Charlton turned over ball near half way and was helped by Andy Harvey and Ed Weir to bring the ball forward. Fellow prop forward Phil Scandle took over and his powerful run took play close and was rewarded with a penalty. Quick-thinking hooker Brogan Millar tapped and was unstoppable as he crashed over from short range to leave the score 5 -12 at the break.

The second period started in similar fashion as both teams attacked and defended well. Kael Horton went close before the ever-alert Scandle scored following a penalty, bullocking his way over from 10 metres to level the scores and leave the game in the balance.

The complexion of the game changed in the final thirty minutes as the Centurions running and passing game clicked into top gear.

The athletic Jeff Wheallans ran strongly from his own half to link with Oliver Hillary and the centre set off on a 50 metre side-stepping run to touch down under the posts. This inspired Dan Kerr to throw an outrageous dummy at fly-half and sprint home.

Forwards Dan Tate and Cameron Crawford worked hard to win possession near half-way and Owen Loughead ploughed upfield. Scrum-half Harvey switched direction to find Martyn Hutton and the skipper scorched over in the right corner. From the restart, Chris Blackburn caught well and laid back inviting ball for Hillary allowing the centre to stretch his legs again and score from the halfway line.

With their tails up the Centurions were running the ball strongly all over the pitch. Wheallans showed balance and pace to add his own long range effort and scored another in support of powerful number 8 Rhys Loughead from close to the line. Kerr added his sixth conversion to bring this purple patch to a close.

To their great credit Ponteland remained competitive and finished with a deserved late converted try down the left wing in this "game of two halves".