Northampton Demons 68, New Ravens 14

NORTH EAST Worcestershire Ravens travelled to Northampton to take on the Demons in their second game of the season in the Midlands Rugby League Premier and were hampered before the start as the perennial problem of numbers struck again.

Only 11 players were available for selection due to injuries and unavailability but the hosts came to rescue and loaned Ravens five players, enabling them to field a full team and three substitutes.

Demons started strongly and and brushed aside the visiting defence to score two early converted tries.

It looked like it was going to be one way traffic and a long afternoon as the hosts scored another couple of tries to race into 20 points lead within first 15 minutes.

But Ravens stuck to their guns and started to get some possession as they exploited the Demons' left hand side.

They got on to the scoreboard as the one of the loan players crashed over in the corner for a try, while Dave Wimbury’s conversion just flew wide.

The same loan player bagged a second score and Wimbury added the extras.

But the Demons managed just one more try before half-time to take a 26-10 lead.

Ravens were always going to be hard work going against the strong wind and with a few injuries collected in the first half meant that interchange options were limited.

The hosts went on to score a further seven tries as they out muscled the Ravens.

The away team did manage one try in the second half as on-loanee Scottish student international Patrick Stewart got a fully deserved try and was also voted the ravens man of the match.

On Saturday, the North Worcestershire outfit are at home Nottingham Outlaws (3.30pm ko).