Eastern Counties were always second best in their final group game at Bury St Edmunds on Saturday, conceding seven tries to a Durham side that looked stronger in most aspects of the game.

Durham moved the ball around quicker, and made the most of Counties’ more frequent turnovers. A brief spell at the start of the second half apart, Counties only looked occasionally dangerous in broken play.

Durham took a second-minute lead with a pushover try, and although the hosts replied 10 minutes later with a penalty from Charlie Pask (Bury), Durham ran in three more unconverted tries to lead 20-3 at the interval.

Counties started the second half strongly, scoring a forwards’ try five minutes in through Jerone Awesu (Colchester), converted by Pask, but Durham scarcely allowed them a chance after that.

Pask landed a second penalty on 64 minutes, and Counties used all their replacements in a bid to change the game, but it always looked a lost cause. Durham tries were scored by Lewis Johnston (18, 30, 85), Paul Malcolm (2), Josh Forrester (39), Scott Powell (51), and Cameron Mitchell (70). Gavin Painter converted Mitchell’s try.

Counties lost their opening group fixture 27-26 against East Midlands at Wellingborough last week, and finish bottom of the group.