From the Touchline – Sat 21st December

Today we welcome near neighbours Tynedale for this the first match of the second round of fixtures. The clubs met way back in early September with our visitors gaining a narrow 25 – 24 victory. Since that day, they have been beset by injuries and have only two further wins both at home against Hull Ionians and Worthing.

However, in the past few weeks, their form has improved and with a little luck they could have beaten both Cinderford and Richmond in the last two matches. No doubt today they will hope form goes out of the window and they can put one over on us!

As we all know, from games in the past few years, the results are often close and the current record is that Tynedale have won twelve to Blaydon’s ten in the past thirteen seasons.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:
FYLDE 9 – BLAYDON 5
TYNEDALE 24 – RICHMOND 32

The result last week saw the end of our ten match unbeaten run and ironically it was Fylde who ended our ten match unbeaten run last season when we lost over there 23 – 19. The record between Blaydon and Fylde shows that Fylde have only won three times out of thirteen fixtures but upon reflection, last week they just about deserved the victory although the journey over Shap (gail force winds and driving rain!) did help to disrupt normal patterns of play and no doubt we will be looking to get back to winning ways today.

Other league results last week saw leaders Doncaster see of challengers Coventry, second placed Rosslyn Park demolish Hull Ionians, surely confining them to relegation, easy wins for both Esher over fourth bottom Cinderford and narrow victories for Old Albanian, Loughborough Students and Wharfedale over Worthing, Henley and Blackheath all of which sees Doncaster out in front three points clear of Rosslyn Park with Esher in third followed by Wharfedale and Fylde. At the bottom are Hull Ionians with nine points, Tynedale with nineteen, Blackheath with twenty five and Cinderford with twenty six all of whom needing victories – but remember, there are still sixteen games to go after today.

Members may be pleased to know that after several months of protracted negotiations and planning applications, the club has been granted a one year temporary planning permission for a WEDNESDAY MID WEEK CAR BOOT SALE with a view to re-consideration for permanent approval following satisfactory operation this coming summer.

The Boot Sale will operate for twenty weeks a year between May and September on a Wednesday commencing at 9.30am until 2.00pm.

Today’s match is sponsored by CALL CONNECTION LIMITED and the club would like to thank Graeme Kalbraier for his continued support of Blaydon Rugby Football Club and also thanks to Howie Gillfillan for Ball Sponsorship.

Thanks also to Ian Coonie and AWS for their season’s MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSORSHIP.

The annual President’s Lunch takes place today and we hope that all the attendees enjoy the festivities. Amongst the attendees are former Captain Eddie Mullin (1956/1960) chauffered today by another former Captain Russ Teasdale (1965/67).

Finally, can we wish all players, supporters and spectators the compliments of the season.

Jim Huxley

BLAYDON v TYNEDALE – SATURDAY 21st DECEMBER 2013 – K.O. 2.00pm
MATCH SPONSORED BY CALL CONNECTION LIMITED
MATCH BALL SPONSOR – HOWIE GILLFILLAN
REFEREE: ALAN TAYLORSON
ASSISTANT REFEREES: MATT DAUBNEY/ALAN HUGHES

THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES:
BLAYDON GEORGIANS v TYNEDALE RAIDERS
CORBRIDGE CENTURIANS v BLAYDON DEVELOPMENT
NOVOS 3rds v BLAYDON BRICKS