And the story of this game and the last - if not quite of the season all told so far for Tynesett Colts - is much happier than the scoreline again suggests.

The boys showed the same collective hunger that took them so close to cup glory a week earlier to give emphatically the strongest opposition they have faced this season a scare, if not a shock.

Sadly, that hunger remained for some well beyond the final whistle, as fans as well as players tucked into the post-match catering intended only for the team.

It neither gives me pleasure nor should give you surprise to have to report that my son was one of those fans.

For a little while, it looked like Northern might just have had their chips, as their 17-5 first-half lead was wiped out by a hugely spirited home response to their early onslaught.

But three scores after the interval to Tynesett’s one were again all hard earned by a Northern side whose passing through the hands was a joy to watch at times.

They may well have expected a procession after two examples of that slick three-quarters work saw them go over twice - the second try a glorious solo score - in the opening six minutes to race 12-0 ahead.

But the hosts then showed their mettle, with Lewis Lawson cutting like a serrated knife through men in the loose to win ground, before a penalty set up the sniping Wilf McGill to dart over the line in increasingly trademark style.

Northern struck straight back, after a great break down the left .

No matter. Not with Fox Thorpe - later, a victim of Burgergate - storming over the gain-line to gain territory, before a scrum 10 yards out prompted an unstoppable pick-and-go from No 8 Nicholas Newsham.

Then Olly Northly’s excellent interception and strong run set up more pressure and another penalty from which Lewis muscled his way over.

Makeshift kicker Khanel Williams’ excellent conversion made it 17-17, sparking hope of a maiden season win.

But credit to Northern, who again worked the ball slickly out wide to get in down the left for their fourth try, which was also rewarded with a pinpoint conversion.

What followed was a rare throwback to the early weeks of the campaign, as a missed tackle after a scrum deep in their own 22 saw Tynesett concede under their posts.

After an even, gritty and scoreless opening 15 minutes to the second period, Northern worked the ball well left and right despite dogged defending before exploiting a gap under the posts.

A lost line-out then cost the hosts dear, as mismatched numbers saw Northern work the ball wide again for another fine converted score which brought their 50 up.

But excellent work off the back of a solidly won breakdown - another generally improved area today - saw Danyl Burns rampage through for a try again added to by Khanel.

Northern, though, had the final word, after a scrappy knock-on but more fluent play from their No 10 and his centres set up their pacy winger to seal his hat-trick.

So, yes, the numbers again went against our boys today.

But the bigger story, other than the stolen beef patties, suggests everything will start adding up for them soon.

Neil Farrington