Bishop Rugby Team were away to top-of-the-table Acklam after a long layoff due to the weather and the Christmas break.
Bishop were missing a few first team regulars but were pleased to welcome back Tom Burn at fly half.
The game was played on a heavy pitch and Acklam adapted quickly to the conditions. Following a line out in Bishop’s half the ball was moved quickly by Acklam through their backs to score the first try 5-0.
Shortly after, Bishop once again were defending in their own 22 and Acklam’s backs looked lively and jinked through to score the second try which was converted 12-0.
Bishop struggled to play in the opposition half and were penalised for being offside and Acklam converted the penalty 15-0.
Following the restart once again, Bishop failed to clear the ball out of defence and Acklam’s flanker and No 8 were causing Bishop all kinds of problems and scored Acklam’s third try. 22-0.
Following a rare Bishop move, winger Andy Brown drew in the Acklam player before off-loading to Tom Burn, who took the pass at pace and kicked and chased to score an opportunist try to take the half time score to 22-5.
Bishop started the second half with renewed hope, but this proved to be short lived as Acklam immediately scored a try with their powerful centre evading several tackles to score 27-5. Bishop were then under the cosh for the rest of the half. Acklam were able to bring on some fresh legs and Bishop had no answer to their powerful running game. The tries came thick and fast and Acklam ran in a further seven tries without reply to take the final score to 70-5.
For the first time this season Bishop were outclassed and outplayed, Acklam were a very good side with some very good individual players but the lack of game time and training through the enforced break clearly showed in the Bishop players.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
