The Whites’ win completed the double over their hosts but it was the quality of the performance that gives encouragement for the second half of the league season that starts on 5 January with a home date against West Hartlepool.

Medicals took the game to Rovers from the kick off and scrum half Joe Battle went over a little too easily for comfort from a five metre scrum and he also kicked the conversion from the right hand touchline.

A tremendous break by Harry Sagar from his own 22 line saw the full back make it all the way to the line and Medicals led 12-0.

Kickers Daz Fawcett and Battle missed with penalty kicks as Rovers tried to get on the scoreboard and Medics to increase their lead.

A score for the Friaragemen before half time was vital and it came five minutes into added time when Andrew Dring dived over after good approach play by Steven Railton and Mark Burnside.

The visitors didn’t let the interval change things and Rovers levelled the scores at 12-12 within a minute of the start of the second half.

Rovers broke upfield and Liam Armstrong stormed away to the line from 30 metres out, Fawcett converting.

After Kevin Maguire had been denied two metres out, Rovers went further ahead after 45 minutes when Billy Lloyd’s strong run into the 22 brought Dring a second try when the flanker crossed after Nathan Rayner was hauled down just short.

Leading 19-12, Rovers got their try-scoring bonus point on 50 minutes. Michael Railton burst forward and the pack then drove on before the ball was sent along the line for Steven Railton to squeeze in at the right hand corner for a 24-12 lead.

Medicals pulled five points back when a stretched away defence, with Steve Smith in the sin bin, showed good close handling to put Paddy McGrath in and the lead was 24-17.

Rovers’ response after 67 minutes was to score their fifth try with Joe Little touching down after a break by Tom Stead and the lead was now 31-17.

The hosts got a consolation try just before full time when Battle got his second try and, again kicked the conversion.

Medicals: Sagar, Seddon, Brookes, Thomson, McGinnis, Bartles-Smith, Battle (c), Clegg, Hodgson, Jones, Howie, Urwin, Dickson, McGrath, Haigh. Subs used: Ridley (sin bin 44), Kitchen, Pither

Rovers: M Railton, S Railton, Sainty, Armstrong, Maguire, Fawcett, S Barnfield, I Flounders, T Stead, Lloyd, Rayner, Little, Burnside, Dring, Whitehead (c). Subs used: Bird, Swallow, S Smith (sin bin 61)

Referee: Tom Grayson (Northumberland Society)