Peterlee Pumas 28 – 36 Jarrow Vikings 

In a replay of last weeks round of the regular league Jarrow once again visited Peterlee to play to try to retain the title of North East Champions. Jarrow were looking to overturn the previous weeks score and to spoil the Pumas immaculate 100% record for the 2010 season. The game was once again played at break neck speed by both sides.

Jarrow were the first to cross the try line but the referee denied the try as the player was adjudged to have touched the corner flag before the ball was grounded. Peterlee managed to get away from their try line area but struggled to break out of their own half. Jarrow attacked once again and broke the Pumas line only to be denied by second row Adam Howard sprinting back to make a try saving tackle, again denying the Vikings the first points. However, Peterlee weren’t as lucky on the visitor’s next attacking play as David Norman powered through in the tenth minute to score and John Coutts converted. 

The Vikings scored again 5 minutes later when Graeme Ross finished well and Coutts added the extra two once again. Things got worse for Peterlee as the kick off went out on the full resulting in Jarrow starting their next attacking set from the half way line. A brave Pumas defence stopped the Vikings from capitalising on the mistake, but the constant pressure was starting to take its toll. 

An excellent piece of individual skill saw Scott Jordan run a try in from 60 metres out, great foot work and a turn of pace saw the fullback cross the line out wide and eventually touch down nearer the posts to allow Paul Moss an easier angle for the conversion on 25 minutes. 

On 30 minutes Jarrow returned the points cushion back to 12 as Phil Wall scored a trademark try crashing over from 5 metres out and Coutts kept his 100% conversion rate. 

On the stroke of half time Jarrow winger Paul Haggan showed a great turn of pace to score and Coutts converted to give Jarrow a comfortable lead at half time of 6-24. 

The first try of the second half fell to Peterlee as Craig Gilmour took a pass, charged forward and just had enough to stretch the ball past the try line, Moss adding the conversion.

 More sustained Jarrow pressure saw them receive penalty twenty metres out from the Pumas try line and elected to kick. Coutts boot was once again on point as the penalty kick was on target, taking the score to 12 – 26 in favour of the Vikings.

Jordan was on the score sheet once again on the stroke of the hour, with centimetres to spare from the side line after a shift left, Moss missed the difficult conversion from out wide.  

Jarrow hit back almost immediately when powerful winger James Nicholas went crashing over and SBC Man of the Match John Coutts stepped forward again to kick the conversion from wide on the left. 

Peterlee were unlucky to have a try disallowed for crossing, which would have left a comfortable conversion in front of the Jarrow posts, but referee Gordon Wallace was well placed to make the decision and it was enough to re-light the spark in the home side.

As you would expect in a contest between these 2 great rivals the Puma’s refused to lie down and were rewarded for their enthusiasm and spirit when winger Junior Sullivan received the ball on the left wing after a quick passing sequence. Sullivan dove but left Moss too much to do with the kick.

Things got really interesting with 7 minutes to go when Jordan was on the end of a perfectly weighted kick from James Clark, to complete his hat trick of tries against the Vikings for the second week running, unfortunately again the angle was too tight for Moss to convert the extra 2 points.

4 minutes later the Vikings supporter’s hearts were in their mouths when Clarke’s boot once again set up another Puma’s try. This time a deep kick was chased by James Daniels who collected and crashed over. The angle of the conversion was again was too much for Moss, but with only 3 minutes left on the clock there was only 4 points between the 2 sides. 

But the Jarrow faithful were able to breathe a sigh of relief a minute later when skipper Paul Dodsworth created space and powered through to off load the ball to the ever willing centre Liam Hurst to score the final try of the day to give Jarrow the win by 28 – 36 and retain the title of North East Champions 2010.

Jarrow travelled to Peterlee's home ground, Helford Road for the final game in the Cooperative Rugby League Conference. Despite the result having no bearing over the final positions for the 2 teams Peterlee were determined to hold onto their 100% record for the 2010 season and Jarrow were determined to put on a good show ahead of the following weeks North East final between the 2.

Despite a number of first choice players not selected and unavailable for the fixture the Vikings put out a good physical side to match the bulk of the Peterlee outfit.

Arrow fielded their youngest ever front row combination in Liam Curry, 18, Ben Wilcock 17 and 16 year old Conor Young and despite their youth between them they have a lot of Rugby League experience.

The game between these rivals is always a passionate and physical encounter and despite there being little to play for the intensity did not disappoint and it took 30 minutes before the deadlock was broken.

Both sides muscled up in defence and continually battered each other in attack and following some intense pressure from the Jarrow side, the Pumas keeping their defence strong after 4 back to back sets of 6 tackles, including a Jarrow penalty coming back off a post. Finally the Pumas pounced and they struck out wide when the outstanding fullback Jordan Scott finished off well in the corner in the 31^st minute.

More pressure from the visitors was met with more determination in defence and both sides locked horns but were unable to break through, half time Peterlee 4 - 0 Jarrow.

3 minutes after the re-start stand in hooker Andy Gray cleverly crafted himself an opportunity to score and John Coutts was true with the boot to take the Vikings into the lead for the first time in game.

The lead only lasted 5 minutes before Scott added his second, returning the ball back to score from 80 metres following some excellent and entertaining play from the Jarrow back line, Paul Moss was able to extend the lead further with the conversion.

The size and power of the home side was starting to tell and the Vikings side were resilient in defence but clearly tiring and it was through this fatigue that Peterlee hooker Stu Houghton was able to steal over the line from close range on the hour mark and Moss unbelievably struck the underside of the bar with the kick, Pumas 14 - 6 Vikings.

2 more tries, one from Mark Watson and the other from James Daniels, with a kick from Moss extended the score to 24 - 6 and all too much for the visitors to make up.

But the spirit was still good in the Vikings camp and Ian Arkley was able to finish off a fine move in the 77^th minute, but it was Peterlee who had the last say right on the final whistle when Scott completed his hat trick following a kick over the top and outpaced the tiring defence. Final score Peterlee 30 - 10 Jarrow.

Despite the defeat Jarrow coach George Taylor is excited about his team's chances in the final.

"We chose to rest a couple of players this week that would have defiantly made a difference, but they were carrying slight knocks and we decided best to keep them for the big game next week" said Taylor. He also added "I am very pleased with the way we played today against a very big and physical set of forwards, congratulation to Peterlee for achieving the remarkable 100% record for the league, but I would hope that we have enough firepower to come in for next week to prevent them taking the North East title."

The North East Grand Final is to be played at Helford Road, Peterlee, and kickoff is at 2.30.

In what was billed as the game of the season for both sides, Jarrow Vikings welcomed Sunderland to Monkton Stadium with both teams tied on points in the North East Rugby League Conference.

With Jarrow just above the visitors in second place through point's difference, it was all to play for, with both teams having the opportunity to meet leaders Peterlee in the North East final.

With the extra edge to this already ferocious encounter between these 2 keen rivals the game set off at a high tempo with both sides refusing to give ground as they battered each other to get an opening.

The first opportunity to register a score came when Sunderland were awarded a penalty and chose to take the kicking option, unfortunately scrum half James Pocklington could not make the home side pay the price of ill discipline and narrowly pulled the kick wide.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 16^{th minute when hooker Ben Wilcock danced and jinked his way through the defence to score, John Coutts adding the conversion.3 minutes later Coutts added a try of his own when he crafted an opening and was on the end of the passage of play to score, Hurst was not given the conversion despite both officials flagging it was over.}

On 21 minutes Jarrow created the try of the season when the ball was kept alive and went through at least 6 sets of hands to eventually end up with Liam Hurst scoring out wide in the corner, Coutts again true with the boot.

Sunderland remained determined and kept pushing the home defence back, looking for an opening. That breakthrough came on the half hour mark when winger Craig Oglubode finished off well and Pocklington was able to add the extras to pull the score back to 16 - 6.

3 minutes later the points gap was reduced even further when stand off Theo De Hes took his chance well in the middle of the field to leave Pocklington a comfortable conversion.

At 16 - 12 to the Vikings the pressure was starting to tell and in typical Sunderland style their tails were up and they worked hard to register the next score.

But some determined and resolute defence from the home side thwarted every attack they put in and it was the home side that put the next points on the board when centre Gareth Short showed strength and skill to force his way over the line and leave the half time score Jarrow 20 - 12 Sunderland.

A call from the Jarrow coaching staff during the interval was to get back to the basics, control the ball and not to over complicate plays.

The home side had obviously taking heed of the advice and started the second period in good form, looking more confident and structured and they struck again in the 46th minute. It was the turn of hard working full back Bruce Parker to get in on the act and finish off a fine passage of play, Coutts again adding the extras.

Sunderland once again showed why they are one of the top teams in the Region when they struck again through their power house prop Raymie Elliott, Pocklington again true with the boot.

4 minutes later SBC Man of the Match for Jarrow, Ben Wilcock, tormented the would be tacklers from Sunderland to cleverly dart through the defence to score, Coutts adding the extras to open up the points difference again.

2 tries in 2 minutes from Jarrows powerful winger Barry Walker finally put paid to any possible pull back from the visitors on the hour mark.

Jarrow centre James Nicolas was on hand in the 62nd minute to pounce on a kick, stretching out to get fingertips to the ball as it bounced around on the Sunderland tryline, Coutts kicking his 3rd in a row opened up too big a gap for the valiant visitors to close in the final 18 minutes.

The scoring was rounded off by Phillip Wall and the boot of Coutts to leave the final score Jarrow 56 - 18 Sunderland, opening up a 2 point gap in the table between the 2 clubs and virtually securing a place in the North East final for the Vikings.

With only 3 weeks left of the Cooperative Rugby League Conference Jarrow Vikings took a massive step towards a place in the North East Final on the 14^th August when they defeated Winlaton Warriors at Luke's Lane.

They leapfrogged Sunderland in the table to take second place, Sunderland defeated by Newcastle Storm 56 - 16.

A switch of venue, due to the Relay for Life taking place at Monkton Stadium, and a late kick off due to the referee being delayed, did not distract the Vikings from the task in hand and it only took the home side 2 minutes to open the scoring.

It was centre James Nicolas who showed speed and power to crash through the Warriors to score.

The score was further extended on 9 minutes when Jarrows powerful winger Barry Walker smashed through the defence in his trademark style to extend the lead to 8 - 0.

Both teams were fired up and worked hard to deal with the blustery wind conditions and hard running of their opposition.

It was the Warriors who were next to register a score when Mark Thompson went over the line and Martin Pluska added the conversion to narrow the difference to 2 points after 14 minutes.

2 minutes later the visitors took the lead when hard working second row Martin Healbeck was on the end of a flowing Winlaton move.

It was business as usual on 19 minutes when Jarrow skipper Phill Wall scored and John Coutts, making his debut for Jarrow, added the conversion.

It was the turn of the powerful running prop Mark Walker to batter through the Warriors defence to score under the posts, leaving Coutts a comfortable conversion on 26 minutes.

Half time Jarrow 20 - 10 Winlaton.

Right from the re-start Jarrow struck, Barry Walker again showing amazing power and strength to carry 2 would be defenders over the line with him, Coutts again true with the boot.

The Warriors were back on the score board again in the 49^th minute and again it was Healbeck who scored, Pulska adding the extras.

The tempo and heat of the game had really started to pick up and both sides were guilty of giving away penalties and tempers were becoming frayed as the visitors became more and more frustrated.

SBC Man of the Match Phill Wall settled the home sides nerves a little on 55 minutes with his second try of the game, Coutts further adding to the visitors frustration.

On the hour mark Barry Walker completed his hat trick of tries with another well taken effort.

Jarrow welcomed Newcastle Storm to Monkton Stadium for the second time this season, the fixture reversed due to Newcastle's ground being unavailable.

Newcastle took the spoils in the first encounter between the 2 sides, pinching a 20 - 26 win in a tight encounter 3 weeks before.

The Vikings were determined to redress the balance and push for second place in the Cooperative Rugby League Conference.

It only took the Vikings 2 minutes to make their intentions clear when powerful winger James Nicolas finished off in style to register the first points of the afternoon.

Newcastle were determined and pushed hard to break through the black and amber wall of Jarrow's defence, but they were repelled with every charge.

Jarrow looked confident and strong in possession of the ball and were unfortunate to have 2 tries ruled out by the referee, judging them to be held up in goal.

Barry Walker was introduced to the game in the 25^th minute and made an immediate impact, playing out of position at prop. Only on the field for 1 minute Walker showed his power and strength to crash through the Storm defense to score, Bruce Parker adding the conversion.

Walker was on the score sheet again 3 minutes later with another show of strength and speed to further add to the woes for the visitors.

Despite going into the break at half time 14 - 0 down, Newcastle still looked a threat with scrum half Adam Houston kicking good field position and their forwards battering into the Jarrow defence.

Right from the re-start some smart quick play from the Vikings caught the Newcastle defenders offside and Parker stepped up to slot the penalty over and further extend the lead.

In the 46^th minute scrum half Todd Riley crafted himself an opportunity and crossed the line for another Jarrow score.

Once again the defence was strong and determined to keep the visitors out and in the 54^th minute second rower Phill Wall showed strength and great pace to crash through the tiring Newcastle line, Riley adding the conversion.

Houston was unfortunate not to get to the ball following a great kick and chase, just losing out in the foot race, the ball running dead despite a desperate lung.

The final score of the afternoon was a much deserved one for hard working Jarrow prop and SBC Man of the Match, Jordan Robinson.

Final score Jarrow 30 - 0 Newcastle.

At the halfway point of the North East Rugby League conference it was all to play for, with the top six teams splitting from the rest of the league to compete in the playoff series to contest for the title of North East Champions.

With 4 teams on 8 points the sixth place was up for grabs, Wallsend were one of the four teams with a chance of securing a place in the top teams.

Due to a number of regular players not available Jarrow had to reshuffle and adjust the lineup, with a number of players playing out of position.

Jarrow started the game in determined fashion and their defence was on top from the first whistle, restricting the space available to the home side. The first breakthrough came for Jarrow in the 7^th minute, when prop Mark Walker used his strength and power well to break through the home defence to score, leaving scrum half Todd Riley a comfortable conversion.

On 17 minutes Jarrows other prop Jordan Robinson was on the score sheet and again Riley was true with the boot.

The Vikings defence and hard running was frustrating the home side and tempers were beginning to strain, that strain finally showed in the 23^rd minute when a brawl broke out, but was quickly dealt with by referee Simon Flynn and the game continued, all be it with an extra edge to it.

Jarrow were well on top of the game but the Eagles remained a constant threat and pushed hard to register a score of their own.

Just before half time Jarrow struck again when winger James Nicolas was on the end of a sweeping move which saw centre Gareth Short cleverly offload following a short pass from hooker George Taylor.

Half time Jarrow 16 - 0 Wallsend.

Wallsend started the second period in a determined manner and worked hard to create openings, but again the defence from Jarrow was resolute.

But on the hour mark winger Ian Arkley showed determinating and courage to squeeze in at the corner with two defenders trying to smash him into touch.

Two minutes later it was the turn of second row Phill Wall to show his pace as he broke through to score, SBC Man of the Match Todd Riley adding the extras.

Following a good passage of possession, Wallsend kicked deep into the Jarrow half only for the ball to be gathered by fullback Liam Hurst who powered through the chasing Wallsend players and outpaced the covering defence to score an outstanding individual try in the 67^th minute, Riley unable to add the conversion.

Despite the score line, Wallsend showed great courage and spirit refusing to give in, that determination paid off in the final minute of the game when winger Will Evans pounced on a fortunate bounce following a kick and score out wide in the corner, leaving the final score Jarrow 30 - 4 Wallsend.

Unfortunately that pushed the Eagles into the 7^th position in the league and only the Plate competition to play in for the last 6 weeks of the season.

Jarrow however sealed 3^rd spot behind Sunderland and unbeaten Peterlee.

As the Cooperative Rugby League Conference nears the halfway stage the battle for the top places is really beginning to heat up.

Peterlee maintained their 100% record with a crushing 84 - 0 victory over Winlaton Warriors and Sunderland moved into second place with a remarkable 37 - 20 win over Newcastle Storm.

Jarrow Vikings were determined to reverse the recent trend of defeats when bottom of the table Whitley Bay Barbarians visited Monkton Stadium.

The Barbarians themselves were unlucky to lose the previous week by 6 points to Durham Demons and were not to be underestimated.

Jarrow gave debuts to a number of players including 17 year old Jack Weddell, a product of the Vikings junior set up, Stuart Robson and Scott Murphy, who was playing his first ever game of Rugby League.

It was the home side who registered the first points of the afternoon after only 6 minutes when standoff and England international, Andy Gray out foxed the visitors to cross the whitewash.

2 trademark tries for second row Phil Wall and the conversions by Daniel Barron put the visitors 16 - 0 down with only 10 minutes on the clock.

As typical Whitley Bay fashion, the visitors dug deep and showed pluck spirit to hold the Vikings out for the next 12 minutes, but on 22 minutes, to the delight of the home fans, Stuart Robson broke through to score. By his recollection it was a break from 60 metres, in reality probably 6.

Barron then crossed the line to score a try for the Vikings, adding his own conversion in the 27^th minute.

On the half hour mark Jordan Robinson powered through the Barbarians defence to score.

Whitley Bay were finally on the score board in the 32^nd minute when winger Jonny Ward cleverly chipped over the home defence to re-gather and stretch to touch the ball down despite the desperate efforts of the home defence.

It was back to business for the Vikings 4 minutes later when Gray collected his second try of the afternoon.

Then on the stroke of half time Jarrow hooker Ben Wilcock was rewarded for his tireless efforts with a try and Barron converted to leave the score 40 - 4 in favour of the Vikings.

Due to a number of injuries to the tiring Whitley Bay side Jarrow loaned across a number of players to bolster up the gallant visitors.

Straight after the re-start Wall completed his hat trick of tries and Jack Weddell converted.

On 44 minutes Whitley Bay struck again in the shape of Jarrow prop Jordan Robinson smashing through the home defence to score his second of the afternoon, one for each side!

New boy Jack Weddell marked his debut for the senior side with his first try on 53 minutes. Jarrow's other England international, Barry Walker was unlucky to have a try disallowed after a typical barn storming run that left a trail of bodies in his wake, he was adjudged to have knocked on over the line.

Jarrow's skipper, prop Paul Dodsworth showed his power and speed when he smashed through the tiring visitors to sprint clear of the chasing defenders and score from 50 meteres out, Todd Riley adding the conversion.

Phil Wall added another try, his 4^th of the game, 2 minutes later, Riley again true with the boot.

With SBC Man of the Match Ben Wilcock terrorizing the tiring defensive line the Vikings were finding holes all over the field and were able to run in another 3 tries, one for hard working centre Graeme Ross, a second plus conversion for Weddell and finally prop James Parker. With the kicks from Riley left the score an impressive 80 points to 8 victory to the Vikings.

Jarrow coach John Gray said: "Hats off to Whitley Bay, they never gave up and battled on against a strong and determined side." "Also thanks to the Jarrow players who pulled on a Whitley Bay shirt, Bruce Parker, Jordan Robinson and George Taylor". 

After a narrow defeat last week in round 6 of the Cooperative Rugby League Conference, Jarrow welcomed league leaders Peterlee Pumas to their home ground of Monkton Stadium.

Peterlee have always been one of Jarrow's keenest rivals and have not managed to beat them in 3 seasons, but with their high flying start to the season and their strong squad this week's game was going to be hotly contested.

Jarrow lost the services of influential second row Michael Ewart in the first couple of minutes when he had to withdraw from the fray with a broken thumb.

The opening exchanges were high octane and full of nervous errors, but the visitors settled the nerves when young hooker Stuart Houghton jinxed through the home defence and score with 11 minutes on the clock, Paul Moss adding the conversion.

Jarrow rallied and struck back 4 minutes later when Phil Wall snipped his trademark try from close range and Bruce Parker leveled the scores with the conversion.

Wall struck again 3 minutes later with another short range effort and Parker tagged on the conversion.

The Pumas leveled the scores once more on 23 minutes when prop Craig Gilmore crossed the line to score leaving Moss a comfortable conversion.

The scores stayed locked at 12 all until a minute from half time when the Pumas pounced on a mistake and powerful running second row Adam Howard smashed through the home defence to score, Moss as ever trusty with the boot.

Disaster struck for the Vikings when, on the stroke of half time, the Pumas hit again with a second for Houghton and with the conversion came the half time whistle.

so instead of going in at half time with the score tied the Vikings, within 1 minute of action were now trailing by 12 points.

However it was the home side that struck first after the break when 2 minutes into the second half loose forward Anthony Veitch linked well with the attacking line to score and Parker added the extras.

Peterlee scored again in the 48^th minute through second row Carl Brown to open the gap again to 12 points.

Jarrow pushed hard to register the next score and stayed camped in the Pumas 20 metre line for the next 15 minutes but frustrating errors and tough defence, saw the ball handed over to the visitors time and time again.

It was the visitors who struck next when full back Scott Jordan began his scoring spree when he superbly chipped the home defensive line, re-gathered and scored leaving Moss the simplest of conversions just after the hour mark.

He was on the score sheet again when he claimed a high kick to sprint clear of the defence to score, taking the score to 18 points to 42 in favour of the Pumas.

Jarrow still pushed hard for an opening and it eventually came the way of scrum half Todd Riley and the Parker conversion narrowed the gap to 24 - 42 with 10 minutes to go.

Jarrow's SBC Man of the Match Liam Hurst managed to use his power and strength to get over the line in the corner to set up a frantic last 5 minutes.

But it was that man Scott Jordan snatched his 3^rd try of the afternoon in the last minute of the game and Moss added the conversion for an outstanding 100% conversion record and a well deserved victory for Peterlee.

Final score Jarrow 28 - 48 Peterlee.

Jarrow travelled to take on Sunderland desperate to show the previous weeks defeat at home to Newcastle was just a hiccup in performance and get back into their winning ways.

But the fixture against local rivals Sunderland is always a blood and thunder encounter and Sunderland were the only team to beat the Vikings last season.

Despite being short of 3 key players due to International duties for England and influential skipper Paul Dodsworth still out through injury, the Vikings were still able to field a strong squad which was full of confidence.

That confidence was soon tested when the home side sprung on a Jarrow error for Craig Jones to break the length of the field to score after just 7 minutes, James Pockilington comfortably adding the conversion.

The Vikings struck back in the 12^th minute when David Norman got onto the score sheet and Bruce Parker was able to add the conversion.

The level of intensity and effort was incredible for the next 20 minutes before an opportunity came for Sunderland to pounce on a poor Jarrow kick to again go the length of the field, this time it was the turn of speedy winger Daniel Rundle to leave the Jarrow chasers in his wake and leave Pocklington with the simplest of kicks to regain a 6 point advantage after 34 minutes.

3 minutes later the lead was extended again when Craig Ologbode scored and Pocklington converted, half time score Sunderland 18 - 6 Jarrow.

It was the home side that registered the first score of the second period when hard working prop Raymie Elliott was able to power through the Jarrow defence to score and again Pocklington was able to tag on the extra points.

Jarrow stayed focused and pushed hard to gain field position, with SBC Man of the Match Ben Wilcock creating havoc in the Sunderland defence with his elusive running and determined defence.

The break came when Jarrow skipper Phill Wall scored and Parker added the conversion in the 49^th minute.

Sunderland were unfortunate to have a try ruled out by the referee for a double movement and even more unfortunate a minute later to see Jarrow prop Mark Walker crash over, with Parkers kick from out wide, reducing the deficit to just 6 points with 25 minutes to go.

Norman registered his second of the afternoon on the hour mark and Parkers conversion tied the scores at 24 all, setting the game up for a classic last 20 minutes.

Jarrow were pushing hard and looking a lot better organized, which paid off in the 74^th minute when second rower Michael Heap crossed the line to give the visitors the lead for the first time in the afternoon, Parkers trusty boot extending the lead to 24 - 30 with 6 minutes left on the Clock.

Some indiscipline from Jarrow lead to Sunderland being awarded a penalty which Pockling dispatched the kick deep into the Jarrow half.

From this position Sunderland were able to mount an attack which resulted in Pocklington scoring a well crafted try in the 78^th and for the first time in the game his kicking boots let him down and Jarrow entered the last minute of play with a slim 2 point lead.

From the restart Jarrow were unable to kick deep to keep the home defence in their own half, and again Sunderland were allowed to make ground too easily.

The agony was compounded when Jake Lilley scored for the home side in the dying seconds of the game to snatch a 32 points to 30 for Sunderland and add to Jarrow's woes.

After the game Jarrow coach George Taylor said; "Losing is always very hard and a painful experience, to lose by such a small margin is even worse, especially in a game that was there for the taking". "That said it was a fantastic advert for the game of Rugby League, Sunderland showed the grit and determination that they are renowned for and they fully deserved the victory".

On Saturday the 5^th June, Jarrow Vikings welcomed joint league leaders Newcastle Storm to Monkton Stadium for the 5^th round of The Cooperative Rugby League Conference. The afternoon started with a minute's silence, indicated by Dave Newall the match day referee, as a mark of respect to those who had lost their lives in the recent tragic shooting in West Cumbria. The minutes silence was replicated across the country at every Rugby League ground this weekend to remember Gary Purdham a former Whitehaven player who was one of the victims.

The contest between the two unbeaten sides was far from a somber affair, with both sides determined to hold onto their 100% start. Newcastle Storm are an amalgamation of Gateshead Storm, who played in the division above for many seasons and Newcastle Knights, and were always going to be a handful for the home side who due were without a number of key players.

It was the visitors who registered the first score, putting the Jarrow side behind for the first time this season and it was prop Jack Duran who crossed the line and skipper Adam Houston added the conversion after just 6 minutes.

With neither side willing to give an inch and pushing hard to break each other down the heat was turned up on an already sweltering afternoon.

The breakthrough eventually came for the Vikings in the 22^nd minute when centre Graham Ross squeezed in at the corner, pulling the score back to 4 - 6.

Storm struck again following a mistake from the home side and Adam Armstrong scored and Huston converted to take the half time score to Jarrow 4 - 12 Newcastle.

5 minutes after the re-start Barry Walker showed his power and increadable strength to break through tackle after tackler to eventually take 3 players over the line with him to score out wide in the corner.

2 minutes later, following some ill discipline from the home side, the Storm took advantage of field position from a penalty and Jim Magnason scored.

Jarrow skipper Phill Wall stepped up and lead from the front to score in the 50^th minute, leaving Bruce Parker with a more comfortable conversion.

Storm were on the score board again 5 minutes later when Armstrong grabbed his second and the trusty boot of Huston added the extras.

Jarrow were once again punished for some ill discipline and Huston slotted the penalty over to further frustrate the home side.

The Vikings were still not finished and battled hard to bring the game back into their grasp, lead by SBC Man of the Match Anthony Veitch who never stopped working from the loose forward position.

It was prop Jordan Robinson who registered the next try and the boot of Parker reduced the gap to 4 points again in the 70^th minute.

Pushing hard to narrow the gap further Jarrow threw everything at the visitors and were held short of the line time after time and the frustration was mounting. That frustration spilled over in the 75^th minute and the game was effectively sealed when Houston gladly accepted a kick at goal from a penalty to take the score to 20 - 26 with 5 minutes to go.

Despite the home sides determination and drive the visitors repelled them, even when they went down to 12 men when young scrum half Neil Wickham was sin binned for kicking Jarrow prop Conor Young as he was about to cross the white wash.

Final score Vikings 20 - 26 Storm.

In their toughest contest so far this season Jarrow travelled to Winlaton to take on the surprise package of the season, the Winlaton Warriors.

Having recruited well during the off season Winlaton were one of 4 at the top of the table with a 100% record this season, with Jarrow as one of the other clubs also boasting a perfect start, this was always going to be an exciting encounter.

The opening exchanges between both sets of forwards were explosive, neither side taking a backward step in attack or defence.

 After 15 minutes it was Jarrow who broke the deadlock when Barry Walker powered through to score.

Not to be outdone by his younger brother, Mark Walker smashed through the home defence, leaving a trail of destruction behind him, to score a try of his own in the 17^th minute.

Jarrow's speed and momentum was keeping the home side on the back foot and they were unlucky not to extend the score line further but for a couple of handling errors.

They did extend their lead further when scrum half Todd Riley crafted himself an opportunity to score his first of the afternoon on 26 minutes and then his second 9 minutes later opening a 16 points to nil lead.

However Winlaton did get onto the score board on the stroke of half time when their determination was rewarded with a score for Martin Pluskal and the conversion added by Scott Carter.

With a 16 - 6 lead at the interval the Jarrow coaches urged their charges not to get frustrated at the decisions that were going against them, reduce the number of offloads and control the ball in the tackle.

With that in mind the Vikings hit the ground running in the second period and pushed hard at the home defence, but the nest score came from a break down in the home side attack and a powerful run from Jarrow centre Liam Hurst crashing through tackle after tackle, to eventually offload to support player Andrew Gray who gladly accepted the ball to score.

Winlaton struck back in the 57^th minute when the blistering pace of winger Hyth Atchinson took him around the outside of the Viking defence, Carter again adding the extras.

On 64 minutes the SBC Man of the Match, David Norman was rewarded for his outstanding performance with a well deserved try, which Riley converted to restore the 14 point cushion for the Vikings.

Jarrow were unfortunate to have a try disallowed when centre James Nicolas grounded the ball over the line only for the referee to adjudge he lost control of the ball, much to the bemusement of both sets of players and supporters.

Riley was on hand again in the 70^th minute to complete his hat trick of tries and round the scoring up for the afternoon, despite a frantic last 10 minutes the final score remained Jarrow 30 - 12 Winlaton.

In form Jarrow Vikings looked to build on their positive start to the 2010 campaign when they took on newcomers Cramlington Rockets at the Cramlington Sporting Village.

Despite the Rockets heavy defeat at the hands of league leaders Peterlee the previous week, the home side was bolstered by the return of a number of fist choice players who had been unavailable the previous week.

It was obvious from the first whistle that the Rockets were determined to address the problems from the previous week and attacked the Viking defence with determination and aggression. This was met by an equally determined and aggressive response and it was shaping up to be an interesting and exciting afternoon of Rugby League.

It took 18 minutes of arm wrestling before the first score was registered and it came in the form of a try from Jarrow hooker, Phil Wall and comfortably converted by Bruce Parker.

With the absence of a couple of Jarrow's recognized play makers, skipper Paul Dodsworth moved from his normal position of prop to stand off, to great effect. Dodsworths control and direction in both attack and defence was outstanding and was rewarded in the 26^th minute with his fist try of the afternoon when he powered through the home defence, Parker again adding the extras.

12 minutes later Dodsworth showed the other side of his game and his repertoire of skill, when he side stepped a defender, chipped the oncoming defensive line, re-gathered, brushed aside the full back and scored, leaving Liam Hurst with a comfortable conversion.

Gareth Short rounded up the scoring for the half when he extended the Jarrow lead to 22 - 0.

Despite the score line Jarrow coach George Taylor warned his charges to be careful and respect possession of the ball as the Rockets were still dangerous and had the ability to score.

With this message in mind the Vikings took to the field for the second period with a determination to protect the ball and prevent the home side from scoring.

The first score of the second half came following some smart inter play between the Jarrow back line and finished off well by winger Chris Butt and with Parker off the field, Dodsworth stepped up to take the conversion, extending the lead further to 0 - 28 in favour of the Vikings.

On 50 minutes Jordan Robinson further compounded the home side's problems when he crashed through the defence to score a well deserved try, Dodsworth again adding the conversion.

On the hour make hard working second row David Norman was rewarded for his tireless display and courageous performance, playing with 5 stitches in his forehead, when he crossed the line to score and again Dodsworth added the extras.

Arrow loose forward Anthony Veitch was next on the score board and Parker, now back into the fray, added the conversion on 64 minutes.

The tiring home side was suffering with the heat and the relentless pressure of the Jarrow attack and organization of their defence. But despite being battered and bruised they kept pushing and trying to batter through the Black and Amber wall.

They held out for a further, valiant, 10 minutes before 16 year old forward Conor Young scored, leaving Parker an easy conversion.

The game was finally brought to an end with Dodsworth registering his 3^rd try of the afternoon and a personal tally of 18 points.

Despite Dodsworths outstanding performance and points haul, the SBC Man of the Match award was presented to the tireless effort and determination of Jarrow loose forward Anthony Veitch.