South Shields find Rockcliff tough to crack

South Shields failed to get the New Year off to a great start when they were beaten 40-32 away at Whitley Bay Rockcliff.

Shields were the first to register a score when Gary Bates knocked over a penalty from in front of the posts.

Rockcliff responded with devastating effect going over in the far corner.

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Shields hit back with a try of their own when Dan McKay helped Jack Heighes over the line.

Rock replied again with another try, followed by a Dan McKay try for Shields.

Rockcliff went in to score a try and shortly after, Matty Stephenson barged over the line.

Rockcliff breached the defensive line as the Shields players began to tire.

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Shields then saw Matty Stephenson going over for his second try of the afternoon.

An incident midway through the second half resulted in captain Clayton Fox shown a straight red and the Rock player shown a second yellow resulting in a red.

Rock went on to score a further two tries with Shields scoring another seven points through Martin Bengston and Gary Bates.

Jordan Wright was shown a yellow in the final few minutes and Rock secured the win by seeing out the game.

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The club now moves their focus on to next weekend’s South v North Shields derby at Grosvenor Road.

South Shields Mariners lost 31-7 at Morpeth as Nathan Key, Deacon Wallace, Danny Peacock and Liam Hubbard made their senior debuts.