Ben Rhydding 3 Newcastle University 2

North Men's Division One leaders Ben Rhydding made it a perfect ten out of ten as they passed their toughest test yet on Saturday.

A tense start saw Ben Rhydding look uncertain and tentative.

It was not surprising that the students, who were chomping at the bit, managed to take an early lead.

The home side began to work the ball harder and Tynan Cassidy found the indomitable Danny Foster in the D who picked a difficult ball with a deft first touch and smashed it into the backboard to level the scores.

Newcastle quickly replied and using an effective overload in the centre of the midfield, created a lethal two v one in the D to go ahead.

Going into the half-time break behind was a new feeling for Ben Rhydding but they came out settled and more composed.

Kieran Borrett played in a Newcastle shirt last season but since graduating and coming home to Rhydding he is maroon through and through and made mincemeat of his former colleagues in the middle of the park.

Neil Sugden had another beautiful game at centre half and facilitated countless smooth outlets. Josh Sykes looked good in a number of roles and is showing himself to be an invaluable player.

It fell to skipper, Dave Exley to take matters into his own hands and convert a clever corner to put his team back in the game.

It was another corner that provided the winner.

The league’s top scorer Will Musgrave smashed a flat reverse hot in and Rhydding looked set to take victory.

However, Newcastle rallied and put Rhydding under pressure for an unbearably long ten minutes.

The home side held out for their tenth win in ten games as they bagged a well-earned three points which sees them clear at the top of the league.

Their last game before Christmas is at home to Stockton on Saturday at the earlier time of 1.30pm.