A late drop-goal attempt by Tom Rhodes could have won this game for Bradford & Bingley but in the end a draw was a fair result.

The Bees won the forward battle but Tynedale's young back division were on top in the loose.

Although the game was played in glorious spring sunshine, a swirling wind blowing down the Tyne valley was always a factor.

The Bees chose to play into the wind in the first half but it appeared to be having little effect as the visitors dominated the opening exchanges.

In the fourth minute this pressure produced a score as Barry Jacobsz drove over in the left-hand corner following a tap penalty. Rhodes added the conversion as Bradford & Bingley looked to have established a dominant forward platform.

Three minutes later the home side got on the scoreboard with a Phil Belgian penalty but, despite having the wind at their backs, they did not appear to be threatening the Bees line.

However, as the half wound down, two swift handling moves in the home backline changed the shape of the game as firstly Belgian crossed out on the left, then Cameron Johnson ran in another five- pointer to the right of the posts.

Both scores were improved by Belgian to put the home side 17-7 ahead at the interval, and things did not improve for the

visitors as the second half got under way.

Bradford & Bingley's backline knocked on their first possession, the ball spilling to England Counties winger Hamish Smales, who outpaced the visiting backs to gallop home from 70 metres out.

Belgian failed with the kick but at 22-7 the Bees knew they had it all to do. After 51 minutes, however, they reduced the deficit as Stuart Dixon powered over following concerted pressure up the right touchline.

Six minutes later, Mark Kirkby got his 16th try of this league campaign as the ball was spun to the left, and Rhodes' conversion brought his side to within three points at 22-19.

Almost straight from the kick-off the scores were level as the Bees skipper set himself back from a maul and landed an excellent drop goal. Rhodes missed another drop-goal effort but Tynedale looked more likely to score in the final quarter.