01/11/2026
🏉MATCH REPORT🏉 by John Coates
Stockton come back from a 19-point deficit to defeat Durham Uni.📰
Stockton entertained Durham University at Grangefield this afternoon on a superb pitch in perfect running weather.
Ten minutes in, second-rower James Underwood crashed over the try line to open the scoring. Full back Ollie Shaw converted, and it was Stockton 7, Durham University 0.
Stockton then spent the next few minutes in the University 22 metre area, and it was a surprise when the University broke away for a converted try to level the scores. They then turned the game on its head with 3 more tries (and a try-scoring bonus point), and after 38 minutes they appeared to be in complete control with a score of 26-7 in favour of the students.
To stay in the game, Stockton had to score before half-time, and with the last action of the half James Underwood scored his second try; when Ollie Shaw added the conversion, the teams went into the break with the score Stockton 14, Durham University 26.
In the first three minutes of the second half, Stockton came right back into the game with unconverted tries from fly-half Harry Williams and veteran winger Tom Lloyd to put them within 2 points, before the students added an unconverted try of their own.
With the score now at Stockton 24, Durham University 31 and 20 minutes of the game left, the home side suddenly took complete control.
First experienced centre Joe Hargreaves went 40 metres for a superb individual try wide out on the left. Shaw’s conversion levelled the scores, before a rolling maul from a lineout 30 metres from the University try line resulted in a try for replacement back-row Paul Evans.
Shaw’s conversion put Stockton in the lead for the first time since the tenth minute. With 70 minutes gone, Harry Williams made sure of the win with his second score of the afternoon. Ollie Shaw’s conversion put the home side 14 points ahead, but there was still time for the University to score another converted try, meaning that Stockton had a slightly edgy last 10 minutes before referee Andrew Temple blew the final whistle with the score at Stockton 45, Durham University 38.
A game of 13 tries meant that a decent crowd was very well entertained, with both teams prepared to throw the ball around. Man of the Match was stand-off Harry Williams, and mention should also be made of talented 18-year-old Fenton Burns, who made his first-team debut off the bench this afternoon when replacing scrum-half Bri Thwaites.
Durham University RFC
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