Durham City 41 Dinnington 28

DURHAM City will survive comfortably in North One East as long as they play to their strength in the backs, where Durham School products Charlie Scott and Garry Izomor have added an extra dimension.

Izomor is a real powerhouse, and coupled with the class of fellow winger Sam Heron and two-try outside centre Bradley Pears it gives Ciy plenty of threat out wide.

They are top-heavy with backs, forcing Craig Dominick and Chris Metcalfe to play in the back row alongside the excellent Peter Dent.

Dominick made some telling thrusts and could become a very handy open side once he learns not to concede penalties.

That was a general fault in the first half, along with giving the ball away, but City finished strongly to nail down the sort of win which is necessary before heavier pitches expose their lack of forward power.

Hollow Drift was in perfect condition for running rugby, and despite three of the South Yorkshire visitors' four first half tries coming from catch-and-drives it was an entertaining game.

Generally outgunned up front, City trailed 28-24 with ten minutes left and the margin would have been wider had fly half Scott not matched his impressive distribution with much better kicking than his opposite number.

Despite the try count being 4-2, Dinnington led only 22-17 at half-time and were well beaten in the end.

City scored first when Scott's chip to the corner bounced kindly for Heron. But then they ran a penalty, gave the ball away and Dinnington drew level.

Their next three tries were all catch-and-drives, interrupted by a flowing City move which ended with Heron sending Pears over.

The centre took a long pass from Scott to glide over again four minutes after half-time, and Scott's third excellent conversion, coupled with a penalty, put City 24-22 ahead.

Dinnington came back with a penalty and drop goal, but City found a liking for the right corner in a storming finish. Hooker Tim McKay went close before Dent forced his way over, then full back Rob Smith finished a good move.

Finally Izomor took a pass in midfield and brushed off three tackles on his surge to the corner. City need to make the most of him before the poachers come calling.