ALNWICK crashed to their 12th league defeat of the season as Stockton battled past the north Northumberland outfit with a 34-19 win at Station Road.

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Stockton's victory, their eighth league win of the term, avenged their 51-3 drubbing at Greensfield earlier in the season.

A try from Ed Shell and two touchdowns from Joe Poole, who converted both his five-pointers, were not enough to help Alnwick complete the double over their Cleveland opponents.

But a fine kicking display from Good, who helped himself to 14 points, and a try a piece for Gareth Foulkes, Willis, Simon Crozier and Skirving, guided the hosts to victory in this battle of the mid-table sides.

Stockton opened the scoring early on with Good kicking an easy penalty. Shortly after the hosts increased their tally, this time Gareth Foulkes, on at number seven as a last minute replacement, touched down. True to form, Good's conversion was spot on.

Alnwick responded through Ed Shell. A penalty went Alnwick's way and the blue 'n' golds won the line-out. The ball went across field and they crossed for a try in the left-hand corner.

But it was Stockton who managed to grab the momentum going into the half-time break. With five minutes remaining of the first-half, Good sent a teasing ball into the Alnwick 22.

The Stockton forwards tried to drive forward on a couple of occasions and finally crossed with Willis touching down. Good converted to help the hosts to a 17-5 first-half lead.

The second half started with a cracking try from Alnwick. No 10 Poole flew down the centre of the pitch but just inside the half way line and their was no stopping him - spectacular stuff. He then added the conversion to keep his team in touch.

Stockton hit back with a try from Crozier. The hosts were battling on the Alnwick 22 after two penalties went their way. The ball went to Simon Crozier and he engaged top gear, split the visitors defence and went in under the posts. The conversion was a formality for Good.

But then Poole intervened again. He intercepted on the 22 and more or less repeated his first try.

Good then had another attempt at goal from 22 metres out and to the right of the post. No-one thought it was going to go over but he killed it with aplomb and over it went for three points.

Stockton sealed the points with five minutes to go. The hosts, ten metres off the Alnwick line, set up an unstoppable rolling maul across the line. Skirving touched down, Good bagged the conversion, helping Stockton to a 15-point winning margin.

Alnwick play their last game of the season on Saturday. They entertain third from bottom Ryton. Kick-off 3pm.

TEAMS

STOCKTON: Jeffrey, R Brown, P Armstrong, T Armstrong, Crozier, Good, Jenkins, Willis, Muirhead, S Brown, Austen, Skirving, W Brown, Parkinson, Powell. Reps: Tempest, Foulkes, Armstrong.

ALNWICK: Kirkley, A Shell, Gaines, Jamieson, E Shell, Poole, Rochester, Armstrong, Hodgson, Milburn, Fernback, Oliver, Neil, Blakey, Archer. Reps: Spark, Hutchinson, Mould