Blaydon 9 – Loughborough Students 34

[match id=87]

In the end it was a thumping, and well deserved, win for the Students but the home side who had led at the interval contributed massively to their own downfall.

With no replacement scrum-half on the bench blindside flanker Robert Bell assumed that role for 60 minutes thereby nullifying his renowned try scoring prowess, and 3 of the 6 tries they conceded were from wayward passes leading to breakaway efforts.

James Guy landed 3 first half penalties for Blaydon but the Students responded with a smart opener from full-back Jack Pons after prop Mike Daniels had driven into the 22.

Pons crossed again 5 minutes into the second period and then nifty footwork down the left saw Alex Davis score at the second attempt after being brought down just short.

At 9-15 Blaydon fought back to push Loughborough over their own line from a line-out and force 2 short scrums, but when a try seemed inevitable they let it out, the backs dropped it, and the game swung once and for all when Pons ran the length of the field to send in Craig Dowsett.

Blaydon were broken and even a yellow card for Students prop Jack Collister failed to help their cause, and in time added on Loughborough rubbed it in with 2 more length of the field jobs by Davis and Tom Pointer, both converted by Chris Surman.

Star man: Jack Pons (Loughborough)
Referee: Marcus Caton
Attendance: 275
HT: 9-5 FT 9-34

Scorers

Blaydon
Penalties: Guy 6,30,40+3.

Loughborough Students
Tries: Jack Pons 34,45, Davis 54,80+2, Dowsett 65, Painter 80+5.
Conversions: Surman 80+2,80+5

Reporter: John Brennnan