HOUGHTON stormed to a 39-0 win against Newton Aycliffe to clinch their first home win of the season.
It was also a third successive victory for Houghton after fine away performances at Yarm and Jarriovians.
The game, though, was a home walk-over as Newton Aycliffe did not have a front row, and the game was played with uncontested scrums.
Playing against a team that had only three wins against them this year, Houghton looked to put pressure on the Ayclffe defence early on and after some early unforced errors they finally got into their stride.
By the break, they led 22-0, running in four tries from Anth Bolton, Craig Hicks, Ian Turnbull and Aidan Towers. Andy Charlton added one conversion.
Aycliffe came out in the second half looking to put the home defence under pressure which they did through their strong rolling maul and some strong running by their back row.
However, the defence held strong. Houghton then went back on the attack and through some strong running by the outside backs, brought another three tries from Brett Henderson, Chris Simpson and Graham Hughes. Ben Slater added a conversion.
Aycliffe finished the game on the front foot, putting the Houghton defence under more pressure and the game finished with Newton Aycliffe being held up over the line, giving Houghton a second successive clean sheet.
On the same afternoon, Houghton Boars entertained Consett III and won 41-0.
Houghton first XV now look forward to away trip to Richmondshire looking to extend their unbeaten away run. The Boars entertain Blyth vets at Dairy Lane looking to keep up their 100 per cent league record.