Blaydon 33 – Plymouth Albion 38

An entertaining game with lots of tries and bonus points all round but for all their efforts Blaydon are still looking for another win since the opening day of the season.

Back-rower Jason Smithson did his best with a hat-trick of tries, two from driving line-outs plus a neat little dummy,  but his side still trailed for most of the game and when the late rally arrived the game had already gone.

Tom Grimes, in his second appearance back from serious injury, put Blaydon ahead for the only time when he finished off a smart move initiated by a break from Nathan Bailey, only for Plymouth to quickly regain control.

Billy Searle, a replacement scrum-half on the bench, found himself promoted when the fly-half was injured in the warm-up and was a constant threat, twice opening up the Blaydon defence to run in tries.

Tom Bedford, a former Newcastle Falcon, and Nile Dacres added further scores before the break but Smithson meanwhile had twice done the business for Blaydon and at the interval it was 21-28 and everything to play for.

Ethan Ford, with the benefit of what most thought was a forward pass, crossed for a 5th Plymouth score but home skipper Keith Laughlin barged over from a close range ruck, Brett Connon landing an excellent 4th conversion, and going into the closing stages Blaydon were 7 points adrift at 28-35.

Tom Putt was equally proficient with the boot for the visitors and added a penalty to his 5 conversions but Smithson had the final word with his 5th try of the season to guarantee Blaydon a second bonus point.

John Brennan