Bircham gets Boro off to a flying start; LOCAL RUGBY.

MIDDLESBROUGH enjoyed a solid opening day win, seeing off Morley 20-10 at Acklam Park in National Division Three North.

Teenager Jack Bircham led the way, notching half of his side's points, five from a try, while he also kicked a penalty and a conversion.

To make his performance more satisfying, he didn't expect to be playing. The 18-year-old's late call up to full-back was hastily arranged after Simon O'Farrell fell ill.

That meant Adrian Rose switching to fly-half, with Bircham coming into the side in Rose's position.

But Boro had to twice come from behind after Morley went ahead with a penalty just before the mid-way point in the first half.

Boro responded immediately Carl Kirwan going over, but Morley were soon back in front after converting their only try of the match.

Boro were back when Paul Norris burst forward from centre to set up a try for lock Dave Hinchley. Late in the first half Bircham kicked a penalty to put his side 15-10 ahead.

Boro sealed it when Rob Bellerby's persistence set up the chance for Bircham to complete a good day.

Stockton are off to a good start in Durham and North One, winning 41-20 at home to Novocastrians.

Playing against a strong wind, Stockton were quickly in control, leading 20-10 at half time.

Jay Good opened the scoring with a penalty for the home side, and Shaun McLaren quickly extended the lead following a 20-metre scrum which led to the ball being spread along the backs to open up the Novos' defence.

Good converted. Novos came back with a penalty, but Phil Austen replied with a try following a well worked throw-in. Good again converted.

Morley hit back with a converted try, but a try from Paul Underwood converted again by Good gave Stockton breathing space.

The second half started at a frantic pace with Matty Oates, back in the team following long term injury, breaking forward, only to be thwarted five metres from the line. Mark Skirving backed up to finish off the move. Good converted.

Morley reduced the deficit to 27-15, but Stockton came back and McLaren scored in the corner, Good landing another kick.

Novos scored again with 10 minutes to go, which gave Stockton time to go further ahead with another try by Austen which Good converted.

The Saracens XV game at Novos was abandoned because of an accidental but serious injury sustained by teenage flanker Tom Nelson. X-rays will determine whether it is a dislocated knee, or broken tibia.

Redcar lost 23-17 at Alnwick. In Division Two Acklam beat Yarm 41-6 in the first Teesside derby of the season.

Acklam full back Dean Roberts and fly half Danny Ashton set their side on their way with first half tries, Ashton converting. Yarm replied with a penalty.

In the second half Acklam ran in six tries. With centre Andy Dalton, full back Dean Roberts and fly half Ashton all scoring a brace, Ashton had the chance to get his kicking in gear, and he converted three of them. Yarm replied with another penalty from Salter.

In Division three Guisborough went on a scoring spree, beating Newton Aycliffe 101-0. In North One East Billingham were rampant, seeing off Old Brodleians 66-0. Coach Chris Hyndman combined with brother Anth to create gaps exploited by the Evans brothers and Paul Shepherd, using pace and skill to rack up the points.

CAPTION(S):

TOUCHDOWN: Carl Kirwan scores a try for Middlesbrough against Morley on Saturday Picture by ANDREW GRAY