Rugby Union: Bradford & Bingley 50, Alnwick 12.

Bradford and Bingley received their Christmas bonus six days early this year.

Not only did they comprehensively defeat second-from-bottom Alnwick, but they also returned to the top of Thwaites North Division Two on points difference because Morpeth defeated leaders Driffield 13-10.

"Our performance was certainly worth nine out of ten," said Bradford and Bingley scrum half Peter Watts.

"And the best thing for us now is that we have three weeks off."

That should give players like Matt Hague (shoulder) much needed rest, and will hopefully enable prop Tom Garnett to return from knee trouble without missing any more league matches.

There was certainly plenty of pressure on the Bees after three successive defeats, two of which were in the league.

But it didn't take them long to dispel any worries by running in six first half tries, cruelly exposing Alnwick's weak defensive left flank.

Watts, who not only gave fly half Richard Petyt good service, but also scored an excellent solo try, sounded a warning, however, as Bradford and Bingley prepared for the second half of the season.

"We still need to improve the scrummaging and we are giving away too many penalties.

"We gave away 12, and if the match had been closer Alnwick would have popped the points over."

Watts was pleased how Bradford and Bingley dealt with the forward threat posed by Alnwick's pack, who engineered a 21st-minute pushover try.

"The key to not conceding pushover tries is not to be there in the first place," said Watts - a problem the Bees avoided by mixing a kicking game with combative forward play and some splendid running by their backs.

Petyt began the rout with a calm drop goal, and then full back Mark Coultas sliced through for a try, centre Matthew Inman converting.

Scrum half Simon manners was on the end of that Alnwick pushover effort, but the Bees killed the match stone dead with three-quarter play the visitors simply could not match.

Right winger Asa Firth knocked on a difficult Petyt pass with the line beckoning, but there was to be no reprieve for the Northumbrians.

Watts side-stepped his way over, Inman converting, and then Firth and Inman (2) went over on Alnwick's left, prop Richard Thomas adding a try that was a reward for perseverance.

Inman added three conversions for 43-5, and the second half was something of an anti-climax, although Firth showed his paces to score a second try, Inman's conversion bringing up the half-century.

Alnwick managed another try through lock Jock Bolan, manners converting.

They will continue their fight against relegation in the New Year, but with two teams to be promoted, it is not only Driffield that the Bees have to worry about at the other end of the table.

West Park Bramhope and Morpeth, who Bradford and Bingley meet in the last two matches of the season, could also come into the equation.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.