NORTHALLERTON first team continued their sparkling start to the season with an explosive 52-5 home victory over Leeds Medics and Dentists.

Northallerton backs were on fire for the entire game, blowing away the opposition with some devastating pace and power.

Straight from the kick off Medics showed their nervousness, kicking straight into touch, give North a platform to build from in the centre circle. From the ensuing scrum, James Hopkins broke off the base before releasing the supporting backs into space and allowing Benjamin James to go over in the corner with only two minutes on the board. Jedd Bainbridge added the conversion for a 7-0 advantage.

After 15 minutes Norths backs once again outclassed their opposition for Joe Greiff to score an unconverted try in the corner.

After 20 minutes Xander Metcalfe showed a blistering turn of pace to break through the two Leeds centres and score under the posts, which made Bainbridge’s conversion easy.

On the half hour mark Hopkins helped himself to a try after Jonny Franks and Matthew Marsay did all the hard work, interchanging passes in midfield and drawing the cover, thus allowing an easy unconverted try in the corner.

After 35 minutes, again good work by Norths backs allowed Phil Swall, who was loitering by the touchline, to score in the corner. This time Bainbridge added the conversion from near the touchline.

On the stroke of half time winger James added his second converted try of the game to send North in at the break 38-0 in front.

The second half was a much closer affair with Leeds upping their game - assisted by a prevailing wind, and North slightly taking their foot off the gas.

Leeds were camped in North's half for the first ten minutes of second half and got their just rewards with a unconverted try out wide when Norths winger missed his only tackle of the game.

This gave the visitors brief hope until Bainbridge scored the try off the game. Bainbridge collected the ball just outside his own 22, beat two defenders before feeding the ball to Greiff, who in turn off loaded to Franks. Franks himself beat two players before delivering a one handed off-load to Bainbridge who stepped inside the covering fullback to score under the posts for an easy conversion.

From the following kick off veteran Paul Dixon athletically caught the ball one handed before going on a rampaging run downfield but was eventually stopped just short of the try line.

After 75 minutes Swall capped off a fine all round team display with his second try of the day following a 15 metre rolling maul, although most people thought Dixon had scored the try. This was the only try of the day that surprisingly did not involve any of Northallerton’s backs.

Bainbridge’s subsequent conversion took his points tally to 105 for the season, which is an astonishing return over ten games!

Man of the match was awarded to player coach James Hopkins.

Next, Northallerton firsts travel to Skipton for a game sponsored by ex Northallerton captain of the 1980s, Mike Beech. Kick off 2.15pm.

Northallerton seconds travelled to play Middlesbrough in a hastily rearranged game after Bishop Auckland cancelled.

Unfortunately North seconds were unable to return to winning ways in a close 29-22 defeat.

Norths tries came from the ever reliable Gareth Essex, Mathew Wheeler, Iain Dunn and Oliver Faller-Raw.

Fly half Douglas Mulholland could only add one conversion, with another straight in front of the posts somehow going wide.

Man of the match was Faller-Raw.