ALNWICK slipped to defeat in yet another tight match with only one score separating the sides.

Once more, Alnwick conceded an early try but then equally matched the opposition.

The forwards put in a sterling effort, totally wiping Rovers out at the line-out and taking three against the head on the visitors' scrum.

The Alnwick points came from tries by Darren Oliver and Andrew Shell with James Robson adding the goal points. For Rovers, wingman Chris Sainty got two while Gareth Foreman added a third, Sainty converted one and added a penalty.

Rovers took advantage of early indecision by Alnwick to camp in the home 22 area.

Sound scrummaging set back good ball for scrum-half Andrew Foreman to spin out a long pass to brother Gareth who evaded Archer's tackle to slice through a misaligned defensive screen to touch down under the posts to give Sainty the easiest of goal-kicks (0-7).

Alnwick fought back through a run by Rob Alexander, who linked with Ed Shell, who spun the ball back across the three-quarters where Andrew Shell was stopped just short of the try-line and was penalised for not releasing the ball to give Rovers some breathing space.

A sharp break by Stuart Archer was carried on by Ian Gray. Finally, Michael Black was stopped inside the visitors' 22 where Rovers were penalised for diving into the ruck. Robson's kick stuttered off, wide of the posts.

Alnwick continued to pressure Rovers – a clearance from yet another Foreman, full-back Brian, went straight to Andrew Shell who linked back to Harry Sordy. In the ensuing midfield forward battle, Garry Hodgson was injured, replacement Richard Ellis coming off the bench.

Alnwick forwards continued to drive into ruck and maul giving scrum-half Ian Gray plenty of good ball to get his back line moving, the home three-quarters came up against a tightly-organised cover defence and could not unlock the door.

The Alnwick defensive tackling was of the highest order. Both sides were probing relentlessly but when a smidgen of a gap appeared there was always another body to block out the move.

A scintillating break up the Alnwick touchline from Brian Foreman saw him link up with Sainty. A try looked on but he was driven into touch inside the Alnwick 22.

The opening half ended (0-7).

Rovers took advantage from a penalty line-out to camp inside the Alnwick 22 area. Both the number eights made handling mistakes at successive scrums. On the last, Rovers lock Mark Power was penalised. A poor clearance by Robson went straight to Paul Hall, Rover's inside-centre. The ball was pushed out to one wing then brought back to the other wing Sainty, whose run and kick ahead saw him just get the touchdown to edge Rover's further ahead (0-12).

A high restart ball was driven back by a crisp piece of handling by the Rovers half-backs, the brothers Foreman, causing mayhem but finally finding that all ways through were barred.

Peter Robinson hammered away a lengthy penalty into the Rovers 22.

From the line-out, Rovers kicked through where Alnwick secured possession and from some battling midfield play Ian Gray was injured and replaced by Rob Ord.

The new scrum-half made his presence felt by making a cracking break, linking up with Peter Robinson and Ed Shell, who was held up near the touch-line. Rovers' defence came up offside for Alnwick to gain a penalty line-out. Out went the ball for the forwards to drive up to the Rovers try-line. A final surge saw Darren Oliver go over for a well-worked score, his first for the club, James Robson goaling the extra points (7-12).

Alnwick got the ball back following a line-out then a scrum. A score looked possible but with the Alnwick three-quarters thirsty for the ball, Robson was caught in two minds. Rovers worked hard to secure the ball and clear it downfield to the centre line.

Two breaks, one from the line-out, the next from the forwards, placed Rovers to advantage and when Alnwick were penalised for non-release they went further ahead through a Sainty penalty (7-15).

Further Rover's pressure saw Sainty put in two penetrating runs, the first was held then the visitors' pack won loose ball which was quickly shifted back across the field, where Sainty raced through to follow up his kick ahead to just squeeze the ball down for a try, not converted (7-20).

Alnwick surged back with some cracking play with both forwards and backs linking up. A final pass out to Andrew Shell saw him race up the touchline avoiding several tackles to touch down under the posts, James Robson adding the points.

But the late surge came just too late, with the final whistle ending play after the score.

Both teams are to be congratulated on serving up a feast of running rugby.

After the match, club president John Ainsworth presented an engraved tankard to Garry Hodgson for 100 league appearances. The Chairman of Rugby's Tankard was also presented to Norman Keen for his contribution to Alnwick rugby.

Team: R Alexander, Ed Shell, M Black, P Robinson, A Shell, J Robson, I Gray (capt), M Milburn, H Sordy, G Hodgson, A Oliver, J Fernback, Aa Armstrong, C Blakey, S Archer, R Ord, R Ellis, A Scott.

Saturday's match is at Percy Park, kick-off 3pm.

OTHER DURHAM & NORTHUMBERLAND, DIVISION RESULTS (Saturday, September 20)

Ashington 5 Gosforth 15

Horden 62 Northern 24

Stockton 15 Ryton 20

Sunderland 5 Percy Park 37

Wallsend 27 Consett 8.