Director's Chair :

Tom Rock - Dir. of Rugby
Position	Fullback or Wing
Role	Director of Rugby
Height	1.81m
D.O.B	27/06/84
Prev. Clubs	Leeds & L. Welsh
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THE DIRECTORS CHAIR – SUDNAY 28th FEBRUARY Good Afternoon and welcome to Crow Trees for this afternoons fixture against Tynedale. I am sure many of you are as excited as I am for what is always a highly anticipated date in the Calendar for fans of both clubs. Can I take this opportunity to welcome specifically, Tom Borthwick and his side, I hope you will find us to be as good a hosts off the field as you were back in October. As a relative newcomer to the North East rugby scene I have not grown up with the Blaydon-Tynedale rivalry which is ingrained in the locals but even for me todays derby has the extra spice which makes occasions such as today special. Regardless of your allegiances, I am sure we are all hoping for a great game of rugby, and this is unlikely to be wishful thinking as both sides have the ability to produce an excellent brand of rugby. Tynedale are sitting in fourth position going into todays game after improving on early season inconsistencies and putting together a good run of results to carry them steadily up the table. Whilst we sit a few places back in seventh, we do have a game in hand and aspirations to continue our own ascent. It can only be good for rugby in the region that both sides are having pretty successful seasons and whilst today is one occasion where you will find me wishing Tynedale a bad result, personally I hope both sides clubs can continue to prosper in the division for a long time to come. Obviously todays game is a day later than scheduled, Tynedale having requested a postponement due to the call up of three of their players, Jonny Williams, Joe Graham and Jack Harrison to the England Counties Squad for Fridays game against Ireland Clubs at Stourbridge. We are not complaining having lost three players to International call ups ourselves - I’m sure many of you will have joined me in making the trip to Kingston Park on Friday night to watch Mark Wilson and Andrew Archibald against Irish Colleges, and Matt Hall received a deserved, and arguably overdue call to play for the Counties side down at Stourbridge. I hope all the lads involved come through their games unscathed and are able to play their parts in todays game. Joe Graham and Matt Hall is sure to be an interesting match up, having been vying for the number 2 shirt on friday night, they will go head to head and both captain the sides today. We welcome Kevin McShane back to the squad today, Kev was in great form before injury stalled his season, his last game actually being the win up at Corbridge against Tynedale back in October, and he will replace Adam McKenzie who had surgery on a fractured hand suffered in last weeks win down at Newbury. Otherwise there are few changes to our squad, as we look to continue our recent good form. Last weeks win was an improved performance, albeit not quite reaching the level of performance we target week on week, nevertheless to go down to Newbury and return with 5 points was a case of a job well done. We know we will need to raise our level of performance again to win today, but that is something we are going to have to come to terms with as we look to deliver the consistency that will see us competing regularly at the right end of this division. It would be easy to pat ourselves on the back and accept a mid-table finish, especially given some outside of our tight knit group of players and management gave us little chance of achieving that back in September, but this squad is much more ambitious than that, and rightly so. We will not shy away from the pressure of saying we want to be, as a minimum standard, a top 6 side this season and build on that again next year. Games such as todays will dictate how successful we are in that short term goal of a top 6 finish, and I am fully confident in our ability to go out an put in the performance we need today, and in every game for the remainder of the season. That is our challenge, all we ask is that you get behind us in whatever way you can. All the best, and enjoy the game. Tom Rock From the Director's Chair - Saturday 12th December Good Afternoon and Welcome to Crow Trees for this afternoons game against league leaders Esher. Relegated as a result of mid-season RFU rule changes last season, Esher seem to be going well in their attempt to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking, losing only one game so far this season, away at Sedgley Park. They are sure to provide us with a tough test today but it is a challenge which we are very much looking forward to. In contrast to our excellent run of form in October and November, our last two games have seen us lose, first at home to Cambridge and again last week at Launceston. In the lead up to these games we really felt we could come out of both with the result we wanted, and it would be doing a disservice to both the players and the management to hide behind the excuse that we lost to two good sides. The disappointment we felt after these games, has in a strange way been pretty pleasing, as in my opinion it is representative of a real change of mindset amongst the players - as a group we are no longer willing to accept spirited but inconsistent performances. We are working hard to learn from both our setbacks and our successes, and as long as we continue to do this, we will soon be at a stage where those tight losses become narrow wins. Next week we travel down to Nuneaton, at which point we will have reached the halfway point of the season, regardless of todays result, next week is another vital game in our season and I would encourage as many of you as possible to think about giving the Christmas shopping a miss and joining our small band of travelling supporters, there is always room on the bus and your support really does make a difference. Our injury list shows little sign of shortening, and whilst we are hoping to welcome James Fitzpatrick back into the fold today after his month on the sidelines, we are also likely to lose Kerry Wood this week as his body seems to have finally given in to the combative nature of his performances. Jason Smithson had a prolapsed disc replaced in his neck yesterday, and I am sure you will join me in wishing him a full and speedy recovery. Enjoy the Game, Tom Rock From the Director's Chair - Saturday 28th November Good Afternoon and welcome to Crow Trees for todays game against Cambridge. An attritional, hard fought, game in terrible conditions at Sedgley Park a fortnight ago saw us extend our recent run of good form with a fourth consecutive win. This win was pleasing for a number of reasons; other than the short trip up the road to Tynedale, I felt it was the first time this season we have done ourselves justice away from home; we also showed we had learnt lessons, particularly from the Blackheath game, in how to adapt our game to poor weather conditions. Overall though, it was the spirit and desire to win which stood out above everything else, since the first session of pre-season we worked hard, both on and off the field, to create a really close knit, tight group of players and to see this manifest itself in the way it did at Sedgley Park was excellent. A blank weekend for the 1st XV last week, gave a few guys chances to rest knocks and hopefully this will stand them in good stead for todays game. However, below the First Team, all the senior sides had important county cup games, unfortunately as the week went on it became increasingly apparent that player unavailability for the weekend was a real issue, with I believe upwards of 60 players unavailable for selection. With this in mind, all three sides did well, especially the 2nd Team, who with very much a makeshift side, picked up a good win away at West Hartlepool. The week off also gave us a chance to take a step back and reflect on how the season has gone so far, and for the team to set some targets for the next block of games which will take us up to the Christmas break. After today, trips to Launceston and Nuneaton sandwich the visit of Esher to the North East, as a group we identified that this block of four games could be instrumental in determining where we sit at the end of the season, and whilst we acknowledge there are some tough games to be played, we should also approach these games with a huge amount of belief in ourselves, as both the players and I believe that if we can continue to improve as we have in recent weeks, we are capable of pushing on and building on our recent good form. Our long term injury list continues to grow with news that Kevin McShane will likely to be out until early February, also Jason Smithson will undergo the replacement of a prolapsed disc in his neck in the next week or so, meaning he is likely to miss around 3 months of action. Whilst on this subject I would like to praise the work of our physiotherapist, Seong Joon-Lee. Since coming on board at the start of the season he has completely revamped the service provided to the players, and forms part of a medical service which I believe the club can truly be proud of and which I am sure will continue to develop even further in the future. I would also like to make you all aware of a date for your diaries, the Club Christmas Party is to be held the evening of the Esher game, the 12th of December. It is a club wide event, involving everyone from the senior sides and the colts. I am sure it will be a great event and I hope I will see you all there. Enjoy the Game, Tom Rock Saturday 7th November Good Afternoon and welcome to Crow Trees for todays game against Blackheath. I would like to extend a special welcome to the past players who are attending todays reunion lunch, I hope you enjoy the game and I look forward to meeting many of you over the course of the day. The win against Tynedale last week was pleasing for a number of reasons, obviously it is always nice to win against your biggest rivals, and I am sure for many the victory was the only thing that mattered. However, as a relative newcomer to Blaydon, the luxury of not being as indoctrinated with the rivalry, allowed me to keep my coaches head on and look more objectively at our performance. On that front, it was good to see improvement in many areas which we had addressed in training, we controlled the majority of the game which was helped by a much improved kicking game, and I thought our defensive effort was a huge step forward, and there were also some outstanding individual performances. The challenge this week is to maintain that level of performance without the added spice of a derby game; the lads are aware that much of the gloss will be taken off last weeks result if we do not back up that performance with another good one today. Like many clubs at this time of year our resources are being stretched due to injury and unavailability, at the time of writing we have 16 of the senior squad unavailable. This list includes the likes of Kevin McShane, Jason Smithson, James Fitzpatrick, Stephen Trench, James Kyle, Matt Dehaty, and Steve Trethewey, all of whom I would expect to challenge for a place in any side in the division. However, the strength of our squad means so far, these players have not been too sorely missed and I am sure this will continue to be the case today. Mark Wilson joins the unavailable list, but for more positive reasons, we have loaned him to Newcastle Falcons for a fortnight where he will be given opportunity to continue his rugby development with some game time in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, starting today against Worcester. Two players come into contention for their Blaydon debuts today, Adam McKenzie, a summer signing from Darlington Mowden Park and Adam Armstrong, a goal-kicking 10/15 who attends Newcastle University may get a chance to don the red shirt for the first time and I am sure you will join me in wishing them all the best in their Blaydon careers. Enjoy the game, Tom Rock Saturday 10th October Good afternoon and welcome to Crow Trees for our fourth home outing of the season as we play host to our visitors from London Scottish. London Scottish continued their march up the league structure last season, impressively going unbeaten whilst gaining promotion from National Three South, however they seem to have found this seasons opponents more testing and travel north today with an identical record to ourselves, 3 wins and 2 defeats from their opening 5 games. Scottish have recruited well over the last couple of seasons, aiming to further their long-term premiership ambitions with the addition of a number of players with substantial top flight experience. Whilst we are very aware of the threats inevitably posed by the likes of Amor, Brown, Truman and Volley, we also know these individuals are just part of a very talented squad and we cannot afford to ignore the likes of David Howells, a prolific try scorer with Ealing last season, or Darrell Ball, a former team mate of mine whom you would always like to have on your side, to name just two. We travelled to Redruth last week in style, having made the decision to fly down to Cornwall on Saturday morning and return the same evening. Unfortunately both the severe turbulence and the result of the game meant the flight back to Newcastle was a disappointing one. Once again, in large part, we were architects of our own downfall -repeatedly putting together passages of attractive, high tempo rugby only to fail at the final hurdle and come away without points. In contrast Redruth, took their opportunities and were particularly clinical when capitalising on our mistakes, scoring three tries on the back of our individual errors. We have spoken this week about being ruthless and ensuring that when we build phases and put pressure on opponents we do not let them off lightly by losing concentration at key moments. In addition to this we are also aware that similar lapses in concentration mean sides are not having to work as hard as they should to create opportunities against us. Losing last week, 30 - 12, in a game which I still believe was there for the taking, is a harsh way to learn these lessons, but these lessons are an important part of our development and we will be a better side for it. Enjoy the game, Tom Rock Saturday 26th September - Good Afternoon, I would like to welcome you all to Crow Trees for this afternoons game against Cinderford. After last seasons impressive fifth place finish, I am sure Cinderford will be disappointed to find themselves at the bottom end of the table after three games. However we are fully aware that they are a good side, and that their form and league position at this early stage of the season do not accurately reflect the challenge they will pose us today. In contrast to this, our 145 - 12 victory over Manchester, whilst pleasing, was more a reflection of the difficulties Manchester find themselves in, rather than a sign that we performing to our potential as a side. Having said that, there are obviously lots of positives to take from such a big win, and I was particularly happy with the way we stuck to our gameplan and maintained our intensity when it would have been easy to relax having established a lead, hopefully a lesson learned from our last home game against Wharfedale. A 29 - 20 win over Newcastle University on Wednesday was a good opportunity to look at the wider squad, and selection is becoming harder and harder as competition for places increases. Mark Bentham, who made the move from Darlington Mowden Park this season makes his debut for Blaydon today off the bench after a good performance in midweek. There will be a repeat of this fixture, at home, this Wednesday, 7.30 kick off, entrance is free and as ever, I hope you can make it down to watch what I am sure will be another entertaining and fiercely contested game. Naude Pretorius, has travelled home to South Africa this week following the sudden death of his father and I am sure you will join me in offering ‘Noddy’ and his family our condolences. As a result Sean English, another summer signing from Henley Hawks, gets his first start in Blaydon colours having debuted impressively last week off the bench. Enjoy the game, Tom Rock 12th September 2009 - Good Afternoon, I would like to welcome you all to Crow Trees for this afternoons game against Wharfedale. On the field Wharfedale are a good side who play an attractive brand of rugby, and I am sure they will pose our new side its toughest test so far. Off the field, in my opinion, Wharfedale are a great example of how clubs at this level can operate, they are an integral part of their local community, and their club retains a sense of unity which so many other clubs lose in their quest for on field performance. In addition to this, their recent statement that they have never made a financial loss must be almost unique for a club whose 1st XV play at such a high level, and is a lesson in sustainability for many clubs who strive for on field excellence at the expense of the club as a whole. Speaking of sustainability, I hope that Esher's 148-0 battering of Manchester last weekend proves to be a one off, it is obvious that preseason rumours of problems at Manchester were not without foundation, and I hope they can improve in the coming weeks and be competitive in the league for the remainder of the season. After last weeks win, there are few changes to the side who played against Otley. Ex Wharfedale captain Andrew Baggett keeps his place in the side, after what many described as his finest performance in a Blaydon shirt to date last week. Unfortunately Elliot O'Brien, who was excellent last week at fly-half, suffered an injury playing for the Falcons Development Team on Monday night which will keep him out today. Richard Windle has recovered from a niggling groin injury to take his place. Gavin Jones, a summer signing from Wharfedale, will make his debut for Blaydon off the bench today, after a hat-trick and Man of the Match performance for the Georgians last week. Whilst obviously being pleased to pick up the 5 points against Otley we know we still have a lot of improving to do if we are to achieve the goals we have set ourselves as a group. Some of our attacking play last week showed real quality, however we were disappointed that we only really managed to produce this for a twenty minute period in the second half and we have spoken this week about performing to this level consistently throughout the match, as better sides will punish a slow start more ruthlessly than Otley did. It was great to see so many of the junior section in attendance last week, I hope their presence at our games becomes a regular occurrence, and they know they can expect support from the 1st XV squad in return. Last weekend each of the 1st XV players met their adopted junior team who they will work with throughout the season, and I am sure a few of the 1st team may make it down to the games tomorrow as the Under 16's take on Westoe and the Under 18's play a prestigious fixture against a County Durham XV, kick offs 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. respectively. Good luck lads!! Enjoy the game, Tom Rock From the Director's chair 5th September Having spent the 2004 - 05 season playing for Otley, I was disappointed to see them struggling on and off the field last year. However, all indications seem to be that they have put these troubles behind them and assembled a strong squad for the coming season, and I am am sure they will provide us with a real test in our first league outing of the season. Like Otley, We have added a number of new faces to the squad over the summer. Of these, new prop Steve Trethewey is probably the most disappointed to miss out against his old club today as he continues his rehabilitation from injury. The loss of individuals such as David Guthrie, Martin Shaw, Andrew Fenby and James Isaacson from the squad over the summer whilst on one hand disappointing gives others a chance to step up to the mark and I fully expect that in time, some of todays debutants will be held in the same high regard at Blaydon as these four deservedly are. We have had a tough pre-season on and off the field and we will continue to work hard as the season progresses to ensure we are successful in what is sure to be a very competitive league. Highlights for me include a tough Saturday morning session on Tynemouth beach, and a series of races around the assault course at Whickham Thorns. The lads commitment and work ethic has been first class in these and countless other sessions, and what has been especially pleasing has been the emergence of a real sense of team spirit and desire to work hard for each other which is a vital part of what we are trying to achieve this season. Selection for todays game has been one of my most difficult tasks as Director of Rugby so far, there are several players who are justifiably disappointed to be in the 2nd XV today and the quality of that side, who travel to Durham City this afternoon, is testament to the depth of our squad, and I am expecting next weeks selection to me even more difficult as I know these players will react to their disappointment with big performances. This depth of squad and competition within the group is vital as we embark on a 30 game league campaign which will inevitably test our strength in depth as the season progresses. It is great to see the Junior Section in attendance today, each of the 1st XV players have ‘adopted’ a junior team for the season with whom they will work and look to establish a relationship as the season progresses, and I am determined that moving forward there will be much better synergy between the junior and senior sections of the club. I would like to wish all the junior sides good luck as they prepare for the start of the new season, for the Colts this starts against Billingham in todays ‘curtain-raiser’, hopefully they can get the day off to a winning start from a Blaydon point of view. Many of this seasons sponsors have joined us for lunch today, I would like to thank them for their continued support and their attendance today. Their support is more valued than ever as we look to become less reliant on decreasing levels of RFU funding. Enjoy the game, Tom Rock

DURHAM COUNTY CUP COMPETITIONS

DURHAM COUNTY RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION

SECOND TEAMS CUP

2009-2010

(Current Holders Blaydon)

  All ties shall be played on the dates dated.

1st Round to be played ON  Saturday, 21st November,  2009.

                A             Gateshead v Sunderland

                B             Darlington Mowden Park v Ryton.

                C             Westoe v Horden

                D             West Hartlepool v Blaydon

                E             Durham City v Hartlepool Rovers.

                F              Billingham v Stockton.

                Byes to next Round Consett & District and Darlington.                                     

Second Round.  To be played ON  Saturday, 20th February 2010

            Winners of Tie C v Winners of Tie F

            Winners of Tie D v Consett & District

            Darlington v Winners of Tie B

            Winners of Tie E v Winners of Tie A

Semi Finals     To be played ON Saturday,  Saturday, 13th March, 2010

Final Tie         To be played ON Saturday, 1st May 2010
                 

         __________________________________________________________________________________________________

DURHAM COUNTY RUGBY FOTBALL UNION

THIRD TEAMS CUP

2009-2010

(Current Holders Westoe)

Preliminary Round to be played on 21st November, 2009,

                                    A Horden v Ryton

First Round to be played ON  Saturday, 21st November,2009..

                                    Westoe v Darlington

                                    Darlington Mowden Park v Sunderland

                                    Gateshead v West Hartlepool

                                    Durham City v Hartlepool Rovers

                                    Stockton v Hartlepool II

                                    Houghton II v Billingham

                                    Blaydon v Consett & District

                                   
The Winners ot Tie A will be at home to Winlaton Vulcans II, that tie will be played before the date of the 2nd Round.

Second Round to be played on Saturday, 20th February, 2010.
                       

Semi Finals     To be played ON Saturday,  Saturday,13th March, 2010

Final Tie                     to be played ON Saturday, 17th April, 2010

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

                                   
DURHAM COUNTY RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION.

FOURTH TEAMS SHIELD

2009-2010

(Current Holders Blaydon Bricks)

Preliminary Round to be played ON  Saturday, 21st November,,  2009.

First Round To be played ON Saturday,  Saturday, 20th February, 2009

                        Chester le Street II v Winners of Tie A

                        Barnard Castle II v South Tyneside College II

                        Westoe IV v Gateshead IV

                        Winners of Tie B v Yarm II

Semi Finals     To be played ON Saturday,  Saturday,13th March, 2010

Final tie          to be played ON Saturday,  10th April, 2010.