GUISBOROUGH welcomed near neighbours Whitby to Belmangate on Saturday, knowing that they would have to be on their best form to maintain a 100 per cent record in the league.

The hosts soon found themselves deep in Whitby territory, where the ball was taken into touch giving the home team a line-out five metres from the opposition try-line. Winning the set-piece, Ben Buckworth made ground, before the Guisborough backs were brought into play. The ball was shipped to Henry Turner, who burst through a gap and scored next to the posts. Jack Robinson was on kicking duty and duly added the extras.

Whitby were soon showing that they were up to the challenge and, after being awarded a penalty, a kick at goal sailed just to the right of the posts. The visitors’ pack were causing all kinds of problems and soon they had another chance to put points on the board after an infringement was spotted at a scrum. Slightly closer to goal, the kick again sailed wide of the target. Scrums were costing the home team dear. A series of set-piece play saw the Guisborough pack either collapse or illegally wheel the scrum, giving away numerous penalties. From one such penalty, a quick tap saw Matthew Flint tackling a Whitby player without retreating ten metres. A yellow card was shown to the captain.

Further infringements saw a team warning given to Guisborough and at the next scrum, the referee spotted more illegal practice. Mitch Cannon received a further yellow card, reducing his team to 13 players. Hanging on, under a barrage of attacks, a determined Guisborough defence kept Whitby from scoring until the ball was moved out to the left wing and a deserved try was scored. A successful conversion brought parity to the score line, seven points all at half time.

Whatever was said at half-time certainly had the desired effect for the home team, as they started the second period "all guns blazing". Turner darted towards the Whitby try-line where he was taken down by a high tackle. A quick tap saw Rob Leggott head towards the posts. Recycled ball went left and Phil Shields breached the defence in front of him to score. Robinson added the conversion.

Having previously been warned about leaving the refereeing to the match official, Whitby were initially given a penalty that was overturned in Guisborough’s favour, because of some misplaced comments. The penalty was kicked deep into Whitby territory but was kept in play. Under pressure from the attack line, ball was given back to the hosts. Closing in on the try-line, attempts to cross were held short, before Michael Henderson bulldozed over for a deserved try. Robinson added the extras.

A complete contrast to the first half, Guisborough were now in control of the game. Turner scored his second try of the game under the posts, and Robinson slotted the conversion.

Scrums were now much more of a contest, and from one Ryan Mitchell pressurised his opposite number into conceding a penalty. Robinson kicked deep and Guisborough had the throw in at a line-out five metres out. Gaining possession, the ball was passed to Clark and there was no stopping him as he forced his way over. Robinson kept his perfect record with the conversion.

Cannon added a final try, and the conversion sailed wide, leaving the final score Guisborough 40, Whitby 7 – a hard-earned bonus point victory against stubborn opposition.

Tomorrow’s game sees the halfway point of the season, as Guisborough travel to third-placed Bishop Auckland