In the tough, torrential conditions, the Hemel rugby league side racked up 50 points to leapfrog Strom in what was one of their best displays of the year, according to coach Troy Perkins.

The result catapulted them into sixth position with just two games left of the Conference season.

"It was probably our best performance this season," said Perkins. "To put 50 points on a team who were above us at the start of play is tremendous, and what is just as impressive is the fact we kept them to nil.

"It was a do or die game for us and we produced on the field in atrocious conditions. Storm were never in the game."

After an evenly contested opening ten minutes, a ball steal on inspirational Storm half back Rob Jones by Cameron Mann set up the first try of the day, Mann grubbering through on the final tackle to win the chase to the posts. Barry John Swindells added the extras.

Prop Ben Kay doubled the lead with some help from Tony McAllister, before Stuart McIntyre intercepted 40 metres and charged to the line to make it 16-0 after 19 minutes.

Gateshead had the best of the next passage of play but were unable to put points on the board.

In fact the home side were next to score, Marcus Rose powering over on the half hour mark after Storm were penalised for a ball steal.

Man of the match Kane Phillips finished the first half scoring when he was sent through by Barry John Swindells, who duly converted to put Stags 28-0 up at the break.

And Swindells, who racked up a personal tally of 18 points on Saturday, was next to go over as the prolific centre scored the first of a quickfire double.

Some fine expansive passing from the Stags put Swindells through for the first, while a similar move saw him dive over in the corner for his second of the day.

The home defence had to be resolute to hold back the Gateshead attack as they strived to salvage something from the game, but it wasn't to be.

With ten minutes remaining hooker Gareth Swindells barged his way over from close in, amid protests that he may have dropped the ball in the process.

Fortune was not on Gateshead's side.

Again the visitors pressed in a vain attempt to gain reward for their efforts, but they were caught on the counter attack by Tony McAllister in the final minute, who brought up Hemel's half century and sent Storm packing having not scored a single point.

Stags face table-topping Warrington Wizards this Saturday before travelling to Liverpool Buccaneers, who are also vying for a play-off place, the following weekend.

"We have to take something out of the Warrington game," added Perkins.
"We go looking for a win but if we can get a bonus point that would be something we may need going into the final weekend.

"I think the result of the last game will dictate who goes into the play-offs. Our destiny is in our own hands."