Harrogate win the Battle of the Bottom of the Table

19/01/22

The game started with 15 minutes of stalemate with the visitors Harrogate controlling possession and territory, without being able to break the Blaydon line. Frustratingly for the home side it took a poor pass from Harrogate scrum half to break the deadlock as full back Jack Haydock gathered the loose ball and fended off some poor Blaydon defence to score. Scrum half Kit Keith converted.

That try seemed to wake Blaydon up as they quickly found themselves in the Harrogate 22, and some good handling in the backs got the Ball to Dan Marshall. The try was ably converted by Fly Half Jonny Dowell who was making his Blaydon debut.

For the next 20 minutes Blaydon were arguably the better side but a lot of enterprise counted for nothing as the last pass was often forced and Harrogate were let off. Saying Blaydon were the better side, that was apart from at scrum time where Harrogate were dominant. Most scrums led to the home side being penalised which gave Harrogate good possession, and it was following a Blaydon penalty that Harrogate scored their second try which was a lineout which led to a catch and drive score for Hooker Steven Maycock.

Half time Blaydon 7 – Harrogate 12

Unfortunately for Blaydon the second half started how the first half left off with Harrogate kicking to the corner and driving over for a second try for Maycock which was again unconverted.

The next 15 minutes was played in Blaydon’s half with some resolute Blaydon defence stopping Harrogate scoring again but eventually centre Sam Fox crossed for Harrogate’s Bonus point try, this time converted by Keith.

Blaydon finally sparked into life and found themselves in the Harrogate 22 for the first time in the second half. Waves of attack ensued and eventually Drew Thompson went over for Blaydon’s 2nd try but Dowell missed the conversion.

There was still a glimmer of hope and Blaydon continued to look lively but errors when hammering away at the Harrogate line cost Blaydon some good opportunities with the line begging.

Harrogate then put the final nail in Blaydon’s coffin, taking the game from their own line to Blaydon’s 22 and in what was the last play of the game, scrum half Kit Keith scored in the corner. This was a bad end to a miserable afternoon for Blaydon with Harrogate deserved winners.

Full Time Blaydon 12 – Harrogate 29

Blaydon: Appleton, Mongan, Marshall, Ashman, Cooney, Dowell, Clarkson, Dodds, Chaplin, Thompson, Phillips, Laughlin, Varley, Harrison, Clarke.

Replacements: Winter, Gray, Charlton, Clark, Horsfall

Harrogate: Haydock, Barnard, Cummins, Fox, Yates, Yates, Keith, Percival, Maycock, Dennis, Kitching, Brady, Coser, Dodds, Coser

Replacements: Harrison, Wurzal, Thompson, Raubitschek, Edwards

REFEREE: Nikki O’Donnell

ATTENDANCE: 271

STAR MAN: Harrogate’s Steven Maycock

Scorers:

Blaydon 12

Tries: Marshall 17, Thompson 67

Conversions: Dowell 18

Penalties:

Harrogate 29

Tries: Haydock 12, Maycock 36, 44, Fox 61, Keith 80

Conversions: Keith 13, 62

Penalties:

Blaydon take the Festive Cheer in the National 2 North East Derby

20/12/21

Blaydon got off to a phenomenal start with fantastic try by Nathan Bailey in the first minute of the game. The try was created by a fantastic break by Jonny Ashman who turned a loose pass behind into a 50 metre break and a quick recycle and a few passes later Blaydon had crossed the line.

The next score followed just 8 minutes later, which came from a charge down on the Tynedale 22 which led to 5 minutes of Blaydon pressure which ended with Ethan Clarke crossing the Tynedale line. Both Blaydon tries were ably converted by Nathan Horsfall.

On 14 minutes it was Tynedale’s turn to attack Blaydon’s line and eventually it was Chris Wearmouth who went over from short range.

In complete contrast the remaining 25 minutes of the first half was much more of a war of attrition with the main events being Blaydon losing back row Paddy Cooper and then unbelievably his replacement Matt Charlton 5 mins later.

In this sustained period where both sides effectively cancelled each other out Tynedale went the closest to breaking the deadlock when hooker Dan Lowdon went over but he was brilliantly held up over the try line by James Cooney. And that ended up being the last excitement of the first half.

Half Time Blaydon 14 v Tynedale 7

The 2nd half continued like the end of the first, with 10 minutes of rugby between the two 22 metre lines with neither side breaking the others line.

After 15 minutes Tynedale found themselves in the Blaydon 22 but 10 -15 minutes of pressure came to nothing through culmination of excellent Blaydon defence and a few Tynedale handling errors.

25 minutes into the 2nd half it was Blaydon who nearly broke the deadlock with a Nathan Horsfall penalty which sailed just wide.

But five minutes later the deadlock was well and truly broken by a brilliant backs move which led to Jonny Ashman running a great line to again break the Tynedale line and this time it was Austin Phillips who was on hand to score an excellent try. Unfortunately, the conversion was missed but at 19 – 7 the home support were hoping that had sealed the game.

But frustratingly for the home side just 2 minutes later Tynedale kicked to the corner and a catch and drive led to ex-Blaydon player Chris Wearmouth scoring his 2nd try of the game. Which was again converted by James Blackett for his second conversion of the game.

Unfortunately for Tynedale that was too little too late and that ended up being the last score of the game, so Blaydon finished worthy winners.

Full Time score Blaydon 19 – Tynedale 14

Blaydon: Bailey, Cooney, Marshall, Ashman, Appleton, Horsfall, Clarkson, Dodds, Gray, Brantingham, Wright, Varley, Cooper, Harrison, Clarke.

Replacements: Pyle, Laidler, Phillps, Charlton, Clark

Tynedale: Cooke, Todhunter, Clark, Miller, Pike, Blackett, Outson, White, Lowdon, Haigh, Dunn, Wearmouth, Cousin, Bell, Wainwright

Replacements: Carmichael, Scott, Hanning, Robson, West

REFEREE: Alan Chandrichud

ATTENDANCE: 682

STAR MAN: Blaydon – Jonny Ashman

Scorers:

Blaydon 19

Tries: Bailey 1, Clarke 9, Phillips 57

Conversions: Horsfall 2, 10

Penalties:

Tynedale 14

Tries: Wearmouth 14, 75

Conversions: Blackett

Penalties:

BLAYDON RFC 19 V 38 HULL RFC

08/12/21

Hull’s power was the difference as they steamrollered over Blaydon’s line on 6 occasions to take a bonus point win.

Hull started early and two early penalties led to Hull’s first score which came from a catch and drive scored by Hull Hooker Jobling which was unconverted.

The next 10 minutes was honours even until on 13 minutes another Hull Penalty and kick to the corner led to another catch drive from a 5m line out with Jobling again the scorer.

Blaydon reacted well to that try and Ethan Clark stole the restart and 2 phases later Marshall put in Nathan Bailey 20 yards out for the homes sides first try which was ably converted by Horsfall to make it 7-12.

Unsurprisingly another Hull kick to the corner led to yet another yet other catch and drive, and again it was Jobling for his hat trick.

Blaydon nearly replied quickly through Ethan Clarke but he was adjudged to be held up over the line on 34 minutes, following that led to a scrappy period where Blaydon lost two from their front row to injury and those two substitutions were closely followed by a Red card for head high tackle by Hull’s number 6 Makaafi on Blaydon Centre James Cooney.

Half Time Blaydon 7 – 17 Hull

Hull started the second half pressing hard at the Blaydon line and after 8 minutes they finally crossed the line with Kivalu going over from close range.

After 10 minutes of stalemate and exchanging of errors Blaydon ran the ball from their own try line, an excellent kick ahead by Nathan Bailey was picked up by winger Jack Appleton who ran in from 70 yards out for the best try of the game by far.

A Blaydon missed touch in attack led to Hull finding themselves back in their own 22 and from a 5m scrum the massive Hull pack drove over the Blaydon line which was easily scored by number 8 Will Hall.

Blaydon looked to respond positively but a loose pass by Blaydon winger Appleton led to an interception try for Hull Winger Naylor.

Blaydon played all the open rugby and on 75 minutes they were rewarded again and Nathan Bailey went over for his 2nd score of the game after Blaydon built a number a phases in the Hull 22 which stretched the Hull defence.

Unfortunately for Blaydon that was the last score of the game as they searched for a bonus point try.

Full Time Score Blaydon 19 – Hull 38

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEXT HOME FIXTURE IS A NORTH EAST DERBY MATCH AGAINST TYNEDALE RFC ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 18th, kick off 2pm.

Blaydon: Bailey, Mongan, Cooney, Marshall, Appleton, Horsfall, Clarkson, Dodds, Pyle , Thompson, Wright, Phillips, Cooper, Hall-Lyon, Clarke.

Replacements: Gray, Beattie, Varley, Swede, Ashman

Hull: Dean, Naylor, Heard, Johnson, Turner, Humberstone, Harding, Beech, Jobling, Kivalu, Jones, Regardsoe, Makaafi, Cowen, Hall

Replacements: Crane, McColl, Cullen, Evans, Dias

REFEREE: Elliott Lewis

ATTENDANCE: 212

STAR MAN: Hull – Michael Jobling

Scorers:

Blaydon

Tries: Bailey 16, 76 Appleton 57

Conversions: Horsfall 17, 77

Penalties:

Hull

Tries: Jobling 4, 13, 23 Kivalu, Hall, Naylor

Conversions: Humberstone 14, 50, 68, 73

Penalties:

Blaydon RFC v Fylde Match Report – Saturday 30th October

10/11/21

Fylde’s class out wide is the difference

Blaydon started well with an early Nathan Horsfall penalty following two early infringements at the breakdown by Fylde.

Fylde responded quickly with good break blind by centre Forster putting in winger Sam Fisher for unconverted try.

Blaydon’s response came from a clever short line out to 2^nd Row Phillips, who provided a good quick return to hooker Sean Pyle who finished well in the corner.

Blaydon continued to compete well and a sustained period of Blaydon pressure led to a yellow card for number 8 Fairbrother and penalty by Horsfall, taking the score to 13-5.

Fylde replied quickly and slick backs move put centre Forster through the middle and ex Blaydon winger Tom Grimes finished off well.

Then straight from the kick off openside Phil Mills made a strong run and put in Winger Fisher for his 2nd try again unconverted.

Half time 13-15

Fylde started the 2nd half brightly and were attacking the line when Blaydon 2nd row Phillips was yellow carded and from the resulting scrum, scrum half Matt Sturgess went over for their first converted try of the game.

Blaydon replied brilliantly, Jonny Ashman putting in Owen Chaplin under the posts for another converted try bringing Blaydon back to with in 2 points

A long period of Blaydon pressure frustrating resulted in nothing for the home side but a couple mistakes resulted in Fylde having an easy penalty for Greg smith which was quickly followed by another penalty by Smith.

Fylde continued in the ascendency and a produced a well worked 2nd try of the game for Tom Grimes.

Blaydon pushed hard for a score running out of their 22 and lost the ball under the posts leading to an easy score for Tom Carleton.

From Blaydon’s perspective a frustrating afternoon coming away with nothing when their performance deserved so much more.

Final score 40 – 20

Blaydon Bailey, Richards Cooney, Clark, Appleton, Horsfall, Clarkson, Dodds, Pyle , Thompson, Wright, Phillips, Cooper, Chaplin, Clarke.

Replacements: Beattie, Inglis, Hodgson, Foreman, Ashman

Fylde: Carleton, Fisher, Forster, Rawlings, Grimes, Smith, Sturgess, Barrow, Gregory, Bowker, Parkinson, Garrod, O’Ryan, Mills, Fairbrother

Replacements: Kyle-Clay, Lewis, Blake, Partington, Lanigan

REFEREE: Michael Harris

ATTENDANCE: 135

STAR MAN: Fylde – Phil Mills

Blaydon RFC 17 v Rotherham RFC 49

03/10/21

BLAYDON RFC 17 V ROTHERHAM RFC 49

Perhaps unexpectedly Blaydon started very much the brighter of the two sides and were rewarded on 3 minutes after an excellent flowing movement from Blaydon, starting in their own half was finished off by prop Drew Thompson.

Not long after that Blaydon scored again, this time a cross field kick by Blaydon Scrum Half, Clarkson was well taken over the line by Jonny Ashman to take the score to 14-0 , with both tries converted by Ewan Greenlaw. He then put Blaydon further ahead with a penalty.

Rotherham finally came to life after 20 minutes and Williams scored from a catch and drive from a line out. Shortly after this score perhaps crucially Blaydon lost their player coach and major influencer Keith Laughlin to an elbow injury, having already lost Anthony Harrison in the back row.

The game changed from this point forward and not long after that blow a good break by former Blaydon player Matt Clark led to a score out wide for blind side flanker Lewis Allan, bringing Rotherham right back into the game at 17-12 at half time.

Blaydon started the 2nd half positively but a break away by Dunn took Rotherham into the lead for the first time. Rotherham further extended their lead with a penalty, kicked by replacement Jonathan West.

Then two further breakaway tries by Rotherham led to two more tries by Cook and Pleasant ensured Rotherham of the win. Rotherham added further insult to Blaydon with another try by another former player Francis Entressengle.

Final score 17-49

Full Time Score: Blaydon 17 – 49 Rotherham

Referee: Michael Harris

Attendance: 262

Half Time Score Blaydon 17 – 12 Rotherham

Man of the Match: Lewis Allan

Harrogate RFC 17 v 12 Blaydon RFC

20/09/21

Blaydon lost their third successive National 2 North game in a row in what was a close encounter at Harrogate. Blaydon were promoted with Harrogate from Northern Premier via the COVID curtailed 2019/2020 season. The Clubs have had a long recent history of closely fought games and this was no exception.

Blaydon started brightly but an early Blaydon breakdown offence just inside their own half was penalised and Sam Fox, kicked Harrogate into a 3-0 lead. Blaydon were quickly back in the Harrogate half by retaining numerous phases of possession and mounting streams of attacks but failed to break the home defence. Eventually on 18 minutes Harrogate’s defence were penalised for being offside, Blaydon kicked to the corner and Alex Dodds was driven over from a driving maul to make it 3-5.

Soon after that score some Blaydon mistakes and indiscipline gave Harrogate an attacking line out of their own. A number of waves of attack followed and eventually Hooker Aarin Yorke, was driven over the Blaydon line, which Fox converted.

A period of Blaydon dominance followed but Harrogate’s defence held out in spite of conceding repeated penalties, which led to Harrogate number 6 being binned for 10 minutes. Despite numerous attacks as Blaydon tried to take advantage of their numerical advantage, poor decision making and handling errors meant the half time score stayed at 10-5.

Blaydon started the second half strongly and eventually broke the home defence with Alex Charlton picking up a loose ball to score under the posts, which was ably converted by John Clarkson taking the score to 10-12.

Frustratingly the Blaydon lead did not last long, as Harrogate launched a rare attack in the Blaydon half and following some strong defence we were awarded a penalty but some Blaydon indiscipline resulted in the penalty being overturned and Mike Newstead sent to the bin.

This proved a crucial moment in the game as Harrogate kicked to the corner and following a number of phases attacking the Blaydon line, 2^nd Row Sam Brady scored under the posts which was easily converted by Fox.

There were still 28 minutes remaining and all to play for but although the majority of remaining 28 minutes were spent in the Harrogate half similarly to the Huddersfield game, poor decision making, handling errors and indiscipline from Blaydon assisted by some strong home defence meant that the score remained at 17-12 in a very frustrating afternoon for Blaydon.

Harrogate

Doherty, Graham, Knowles, Cummings, Edwards, Fox, Keith, Baxter, Yorke, Dennis, Hannam, Brady, Martin Dodds, G Coser, Declan Thompson. Subs:- Maycock, Larder, Lansdall, Wickham, Mercer

Blaydon

Bailey, Richards, Cooney, Greenlaw, Appleton, Ashman, Clarkson, Alex Dodds, Newstead,

Drew Thompson, Wright Laughlin, Charlton, Harrison, Clarke. Subs:- Gray, Beattie, Inglis, Cooper, Devereux

Referee

Pete Conor (RFU)

Attendance–150

Man of the Match—Martin Dodds (Harrogate)

Score Breakdown

Harrogate

Tries–Yorke 27, Brady 55

Conversions—Fox 27 and 56

Penalties—Fox 4

Blaydon

Tries–Dodds 19, Charlton 45

Conversions—Clarkson 46

Blaydon RFC 11 v 29 Huddersfield RFC

15/09/21

Blaydon RFC were well beaten by a resolute Huddersfield side who took their opportunities extremely well running in 4 tries to Blaydon’s 1. In terms of possession Blaydon played three quarters of the game in the Huddersfield 22 but mistakes, poor decisions, indiscipline and strong Huddersfield defence meant that time and again Blaydon failed to capitalise on field position and possession.

The game started fairly evenly with the first points going to Blaydon through Fly Half Ryan Foreman who kicked a penalty from his own half way line. Unfortunately for Blaydon he went off injured shortly afterwards, which was in the build up to the first try of the game for Huddersfield. The try was started with a break from their own 22 by Fly Half Joe Potter. Blaydon failed to kick to touch which led to the ball being spread out wide to Hooker, Liam Stapely, who ran in uncontested. The try was converted by Milner, who quickly added a penalty a few minutes later to take the score to 10-3.

The rest of the first half was played with Blaydon in the ascendency but a lot of pressure only resulted in another penalty, this time by Scrum Half Clarkson, taking the score to 10-6 at half time.

The 2^nd half started as the first half ended with Blaydon attacking the Huddersfield line but each time Huddersfield were able to clear their lines, due to Blaydon errors and solid defence. After one such clearance Huddersfield mounted their first attack of the half and some strong direct running by 2^nd Row Pearson led to an easy try for Huddersfield blind side Liam Parfitt, converted by Milner.

Blaydon returned to attacking the Huddersfield line but it took them 15 minutes and some sharp thinking by Ashman taking a quick line out to Nathan Bailey to put in Clarkson to cross the line for what turned out to be Blaydon’s only try of the game.

That was Blaydon’s last score, but Huddersfield however were not finished and went on to add an opportunist try by scrum half Mason, which was a typical scrum half break from the base of a ruck on the Blaydon 22 which the home side should have defended better.

Then the visitors final try of the game went to Man of the Match number 8 Lewis Bradley who rounded off a very good away day for Huddersfield with a try from close range following another Blaydon mistake when trying to score from inside their own 22.

Full Time Score: Blaydon 11 – 29 Huddersfield

Referee: Ben Rayner

Attendance: 232

Half Time Score Blaydon 6 – 11 Huddersfield

Man of the Match: Lewis Bradley

Line ups:

15	Nathan Bailey	15	Lewis Workman
14	Jake Richards	14	Arthur Wilkinson
13	Jonny Ashman	13	Matt Law
12	Alex Clark (Capt)	12	Will Milner
11	Jack Appleton	11	Cameron Catleugh
10	Ryan Foreman	10	Joe Potter
9	John Clarkson	9	Jonny Mason
1	Drew Thompson	1	Callum Thompson
2	Michael Newstead	2	Liam Stapley
3	Elliott Beattie	3	Jack Smith
4	Liam Wright	4	Luke Pearson
5	Austin Phillips	5	Nick Sharpe
6	Keith Laughlin	6	Liam Parfitt
7	Ethan Hall	7	Jacob Glover
8	Ethan Clarke	8	Lewis Bradley (Capt)

16	Danny Gray	16	Leighton Davies
17	Alex Dodds	17	John Sedgwick
18	Ryan Kirkbride	18	Aaron Brook
19	Ethan Hall-Lyon	19
20	Jonathan Devereux	20

Scorers:

Blaydon

Tries: Clarkson 69

Conversions:

Penalties: Foreman 2, Clarkson 33

Huddersfield

Tries: Stapely 15, Parfitt 53, Mason 72, Bradley 78

Conversions: Milner 16, 54, 73

Penalties: Milner 29

Blaydon RFC 23 v 27 Loughborough Students

06/09/21

Blaydon’s first game back in National Leagues ends in narrow defeat.

The game started fairly evenly with the first 20 minutes finishing 6 – 3 to Blaydon RFC with Ryan Foreman kicking two penalties for Blaydon and Charlie Titcombe replying with one for Loughborough Students.

As the first half progressed Loughborough began to gain the ascendency and the first try of the game came on 23 minutes through scrum half Iwan Burgwin. Loughborough were the better team for the rest of the first half but it was a turnover on their own line, that led to a length of the field try for winger O’Leary-Blade. This took Loughborough’s lead to 17-6 at half time as both tries were converted by Charlie Titcombe.

The start of the second half continued the same as the end of the first with Loughborough edging things, but it was Blaydon who scored first with Foreman adding another penalty. On 53 minutes the students made pressure count and substitute Ben Smith scored a 3^rd try for Loughborough which was again converted by Charlie Titcombe.

This score led to a Blaydon revival, 5 minutes later and Liam Wright scored Blaydon’s first try following a driving maul. Blaydon were starting to get a foothold in the game now and another try followed, scored by Ethan Clarke making his debut for Blaydon, both tries were converted by Foreman taking the score to 23-24.

Loughborough extended their lead with another Titcombe penalty and although Blaydon pushed very hard for the winning score Loughborough Students defended well and ran out 23-27 winners in a well contested first game of the season.

Full Time Score: Blaydon 23 – Loughborough Students 27

Referee: Michael Harris

Attendance: 248

Half Time Score Blaydon 6 – Loughborough Students 17

Man of the Match: Charlie Titcombe (Loughborough)