Sunderland, holders of the Challenge Trophy stormed to a 67-7 win last night
over Seaton Carew with an exhilarating display of rugby the brought them 11
tries during the game.
Seaton Carew, lying mid table in the league above Sunderland, had no answer
to the firepower the Ashbrooke side displayed. With only 4 minutes on the clock
winger Matt Goforth opened the scoring following a number of forward drives
and centre Graeme Towers added another try soon after following a fine Sam Jordan
run, converted by Richie Holbrough to establish a 12-0 lead.
Sunderland maintained the pressure and it was no surprise when number 8 Tony
Irwin picked up the ball from a 5 yard scrum and ghosted through the Seaton
Carew defence to score. Soon after following some quick possession from the
forwards Roger Prior joined the line from fullback and fed Sam Jordan to score
in the corner. Sunderland's prop Craig Edwards was replaced by Alan Ross mid
way through the half with Edwards suffering from a foot injury. Sunderland added
to the scoreline on the half hour when live wire scrum half Holbrough took a
quick penalty and fed centre Stevie Graham who crashed over the line.
Seaton Carew responded with a converted try before Sunderland won a scrum against
the head allowing Irwin to score converted by Holbrough to give the Wearside
side a 36-7 half time lead. The second half saw continued Sunderland pressure
and Goforth scored again, converted by Holbrough early after the break. Holbrough
made a fine run soon after, releasing Irwin to score again for a converted try
to establish a 50-7 lead. Sunderland, with the game won, took advantage of the
situation and all the reserves had a run out with Martin Watt replacing Paul
McBernie, Nick Hooper replacing Graham, Andy Mackie replacing Peter Carter,
John Padgett replacing Fraser Kennedy and Michael Brace replacing Holbrough.
The many changes didn't affect the flow of the game and Graham added to the
score before fly half Ian Dobson dummied his opposite number to cross the line
for a try converted by Brace. Goforth finished the scoring to make the final
result 67-7 in Sunderland's favour.
Durham County RFU President Robin Wannop presented the Trophy to Sunderland's
captain Rob Stormont and congratulated the team on the exciting style and manner
in which they had won.
After the game the Sunderland players immediately got together and acknowledged
that the season had been >a great one but was only one step on the ladder to
achieving the clubs five year plan.
