Durham U20's victory over Cumbria

Durham bounced back from their drubbing by Yorkshire in the first match to beat Cumbria 51-5 at Gateshead RFC.

Durham produced a highly commendable performance showing some excellent skills and some exciting running rugby on a damp day and on a pitch with tricky underfoot. Cumbria to their credit never gave up and battled hard against a resolute Durham defence.

Durham were particularly lively throughout and made good use of all opportunities presented to them. The determined forwards set an ideal platform for halfbacks Olly Reeve (Durham University) and Gavin Robinson (West Hartlepool) to provide plenty of quality ball for the pacey three-quarters.

The Durham back row were particularly impressive in a game which saw everyone tackle and run their hearts out.

Durham opened the scoring with two penalties from centre Daniel Wood (Durham University) after nine minutes.

Durham's first try came for fullback Freddie Shepherd (Durham University) when he hit a magnificent line to score under the posts. Wood adding the conversion.

Cumbria's cause suffered a blow soon when centre Matt Rodgers (Creighton) was sin binned for obstruction. From the resulting penalty kicked to the corner, hooker Adam Lambert (Durham University) was driven over for an unconverted try.

An injury to Lambert and the sin binning of Captain Dan Boatman (West Hartlepool) in quick succession looked to have derailed Durham.

However, they dealt with the problem in the best possible way by scoring three tries in six minutes before the break. Two tries coming from winger Martin Lithgo (Seaton Carew) and one from Matt Horrocks (Durham University.) Wood added two conversion for a 37-0 halftime score line.

Despite being heavily in arrears, Cumbria started the second-half well pressuring Durham inside their 22 on a number of occasions. The sin binning of prop Adam Howard (West Hartlepool TDSOB) was a blow for Durham and Cumbria capitalised to score an unconverted try through Adam Redhead (Millom.)

Midway through the half Durham got the game back on track with a try from the pacey Ian Murray (Sunderland.) Wood converting for a 44-5 lead.

However, further good periods of play from Cumbria and the sin binning of Chris Oakley (Darlington) for handling in a ruck restricted Durham's scoring opportunities.

Durham had the final say in the dying moments of the game when Horrocks scored a classy wingers' try for his brace. Wood again converting for a 51-5 final score.

Durham travel to reigning champions Cheshire in their next game on 26th February at Caldy RFC, 2-15 kick-off.