Gateshead Storm 26 Woolston Rovers 34

ROVERS made it back-to-back victories in the National Conference League Division Three with an impressive win over Gateshead Storm on Saturday.

14 points from winger Chris Twigg, including a try and five conversions, proved crucial for the visitors as well as two tries each from Will Chadwick and Theo Holt.

Will Maudsley added another for Rovers, who pick up another crucial win ahead of Saturday’s derby with Rylands Sharks.

The visitors flew out of the traps and took the lead when Craig Middlemore put Chadwick over in the left corner.

Holt then collected Billy Maunder’s chip over the defence to race in under the posts before turning provider as his cross-field kick was brilliantly collected by Maunder, with Twigg adding conversions to all three tries to give Rovers a flying start.

Gateshead got themselves on the scoreboard when substitute James Pocklington crashed over next to the posts for a converted score, but Rovers hit back with two more tries before the break.

Holt broke through the line to score on the right for his second try before he released Twigg down the touchline shortly after, who cut inside well to score under the posts.

Aiden McDermott grabbed a try for Storm at the end of the half to make the half-time score 28-10, and that seemed to shift momentum in favour of the hosts.

McDermott grabbed his second to close the gap further, but Chadwick’s second try restored Rovers’ advantage.

However, Gateshead didn’t lie down but late tries from Paul Parkinson and Neil Emmerson were in vein as Rovers recorded a fine win.

Rovers: Maudsley; Twigg, Becker, Middlemore, Chadwick, Holt, Maunder, Mellor, Brown, Clarke, Clayton, Fearnley, Sudlow.

Subs: Taylor, McGregor, Potts.