Their opponents have yet to be determined with Durham City ‘crying off’ their semi final tie against Billingham and a decision on this will be needed by the Durham County RFU.

Rovers started well as player coach Craig Lee had asked and had the lion’s share of territory and possession over the 80 minutes. The defence was much improved and in attack the Whites put together some good moves in both the backs and forwards. Stewart Grazier cleaned up a tremendous amount of ball at number eight, especially in the scrums, whilst Gareth Foreman filled in well at stand off.

Some of the gloss was taken off the result with Steve Jones being taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead and detained overnight after being injured 5 minutes before the break. After a massive drive by a resurgent Rovers had brought a penalty, referee Ray Sutherland immediately summoned medical assistance for Jones, who was clearly in some pain, and after treatment by paramedics the Rovers’ skipper was stretchered off.

The Friaragemen hit the ground running from the off and good handling by Mark Shires, Paul Kirton, Jones and Phil Hall took play from their 10 metre line to 5 metres out only for a forward ball to halt the move. Gareth Foreman then went wide with a 20 metre penalty.

Some tremendous driving play brought the opening score when, after Kirton, Gareth Foreman and Phil Hall had been stopped short, Reece Bingham was sent over by Gareth Foreman who then added the extra points.

Rovers increased their lead on 20 minutes when Steve Wallis and Darren Smith combined well and after an offload to Brian Foreman, the ball reached Jones who crossed in the left corner, Shires converting with a well judged kick.

Gateshead then pulled five points back from their first real attack after 32 minutes, Stuart Findlay somehow being allowed to squeeze in at the left corner. Simpson went wide with the conversion but was on target with a 23 metre penalty in added time.

A minute after the break, David Kell tried his luck from the halfway line but was well wide and Shires then contrived to miss a routine kick from 15 metres.

The White Shirts continued to have the upper hand and another enterprising move from a Simon Hall lineout take saw Andrew Arnell put in a sniping run to take play to the home 22. Although a knock on halted that move, a chip and take by Shires saw play taken on by Brian Foreman and he popped the ball up for Phil Hall to run in under the posts and also convert for a 21-8 lead.

The centre was almost immediately sin binned and whilst a man down Rovers conceded a penalty try after a sequence of 5 metre scrums were blown up by Mr Sutherland, Simpson converting.

Rovers weathered the Gateshead storm and ended the match on the offensive with some tremendous forward phases up the left flank to run the clock down.

As the season approaches its crucial finale, the players should take great credit and heart from this display and result. An even more supreme effort is needed this Saturday when they entertain Aspatria in North Two East.

Gateshead: Cloak, Findlay (Tilley 69), Lindsay, Tate, L Carr (Naylor 50), Simpson, Kell (c), McKeown (S Thandi 69), Douglas, Burns, I Carr, Weeks, Stevenson, Pluskal, Glendinning. Subs (not used): Leask, J Thandi, Harbron

Rovers: Shires, Lilley, Jones (c) (Craig 35), P Hall (sin bin 56), B Foreman, G Foreman, A Arnell, Tucker, Bingham (J Cushlow 68), Wise, Wallis, D Smith, Kirton, S Hall, Grazier (I Pinchen 71). Subs (not used): Howe, Wilson

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