Everyone except the referee spotted a problem when both side came on to the pitch wearing maroon shirts and socks, meaning that only way of telling the teams apart was by the different coloured shorts.

Leicestershire were the far larger side and quickly took control of the match scoring a penalty try and a push over from a scrum in the first fifteen minutes.

When one Leicestershire player tackled one of his teammates the referee realised he had a problem and there was a delay while the Leicestershire  players turned their shirts inside out.

Durham began battling their way back into the match and midway through the first half scored a converted try. Leicestershire added a further try to make the halftime score 22 – 7.

Durham scored early in the second half to narrow the gap but as the match went on the effort of playing against a more powerful side took its toll and Leicestershire scored at regular intervals to run out winners 55 -14.

Durham had been hit by several of their regular players not being available. This meant debuts for three young players who will have learned from this match and will I am sure make a real contribution to the county team in the future.

At the post match meal I presented ties to the three debutants. One of the recipient was Lewis Roxby who had been part of this seasons successful under 20 team. In all the excitement of being selected for the full county team  Lewis had forgotten the pack his trousers and had to collect his tie wearing number ones and shorts, much to the amusement of his team mates.

The final presentation of the day went to Tom Johnson (pictured). Tom is the first player from Hartlepool RFC for seventeen years to play for the county team and was extremely proud to have played in five matches and earn a county cap.