1st Team Match Reports

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Blaydon 36, Ilkley 18


Blaydon 36 – 18 Ilkley

The home side began well and the visitors struggled in the scrums but despite constant pressure in the opening stages, Blaydon by either wrong options or silly penalties conceded did not open their account and on their first visit to the Blaydon  half, visiting scrum half and star player Blake Morgan finished off a good movement for Charlie Ramsay to convert.
The home side immediately went back on the attack and eventually from a good catch and drive, hooker Gareth Henderson scored in the corner for Ryan Foreman to make an excellent conversion.    The home supporters may have thought this was the beginning of a resurgence but this was not to be so and after 20 minutes Ramsay again put the visitors in front with an easy penalty.   At this stage Blaydon lost Keith Laughlin with a yellow card but amazingly improved their possession and from another catch and drive this time scrum half Dan Taylor touched down and Foreman again added the extras.   Just before half time, the same player kicked an easy penalty to put Blaydon 17 – 10 in front at the interval.
The pattern of play did not change and Blaydon could not increase their lead and eventually the visitors reduced the arrears when Ramsay kicked another penalty.  On the hour, the game changed with Blaydon at last making use of good ball and making inroads on the visiting defence and following another forward drive, prop Alex Dodds touched down near the posts for Foreman to add the points again.   Blaydon continued to attack and a barnstorming run from second row Fred Lockwood which saw him make 40 metres shaking off several tackles and coming just short but quickly presented ball saw Rob Lenderyou touch down for another try and the bonus point.   The conversion was missed this time but Blaydon were now comfortably in the lead, however, on a rare visit, second row Eric King scored in the corner for the visitors to reduce the arrears.
Blaydon resumed normal service and just before the end, Foreman received possession at one side of the field and seeing Nathan Bailey unmarked on the opposite side, he cleverly kicked 60 metres for Bailey to out jump his opposite number, collect, and race in from 15 metres which Foreman duly converted and in the end Blaydon ran out comfortable winners.

The win sees Blaydon still in second place behind Billingham.   Next week we travel to Cumbria to take on Kirkby Lonsdale with a 2.15.p.m. kick off.

Jim Huxley

 

Morpeth 12 – Blaydon 34

🔴⚫️ Match Report 🔴⚫️ Morpeth 12 – 34 Blaydon

Paying their first visit to Mitford Road for 20 years a well drilled Blaydon side aided by a large following support came away with another 5 point victory despite going behind in the opening 2 mins following a messy first scrum which saw the referee award Morpeth a penalty try.

Not to be dismayed, the visitors immediately went up field and following a couple of darts up the middle, the ball was passed to James Cooney who beat off two tacklers and ran in from 15 metres to score a fine try which Ryan Foreman added the first of his 3 conversions. At this stage the home pack was dominating proceedings and a missed Blaydon tackle in the centre (the only one of the game) saw Captain Carl Hill put the home side 5 points up after 20 minutes. However, at this stage with Captain Jack Davidson and Harry Borthwick coming to the fore, Blaydon began to stretch the home defence and firstly Cam Bell was driven over and then Davidson himself with the help of his dominant pack. Neither try was converted with one conversion hitting the post but now in the lead, Blaydon never looked like being overtaken.

After the interval, despite winning good possession, the home side made poor use and Blaydon utilized the ball well and with their backs continually stretching the home defence, they were completely in charge and following another turnover on the half way line, good hands saw Dan Marshall break through once more, drawing the home full back and giving unselfishly Harry Borthwick a run in between the posts for another 7 pointer. The introduction of substitute Jack Appleton on the hour saw Blaydon inject speed on the wing and following his first touch of the ball, he ran strongly and cleverly kicked over the opposition for Marshall to gather the bouncing ball and widen the gap with a fine try which was duly converted by Foreman.

With Blaydon running down the clock, the home side, lacking possession, were unable to get field advantage and once again Blaydon’s backs swept upfield and were awarded an easy penalty in front of the posts which Foreman added 3 points.

The satisfying result sees Blaydon consolidate second place in the table and next week they have a home game kicking off at 2.15.p.m. against bottom club Ilkley who despite some close results, have only won 1 game this season and have a points differential of 127 – 274, the highest in the league.

Jim Huxley

Blaydon 38, Sandal 26

 

Blaydon 38–26 Sandal

Blaydon’s open play with backs and forwards combining well saw them score 4 tries and secure the bonus point by the 28th minute with their forwards particularly dominating play.   With ample possession, their three quarters made good ground and the scoreboard reflected their domination.   Harry Borthwick’s try saw Blaydon open up a 33 point gap two minutes before the interval.
The game began with the home side continually probing and it was wing forward Rob Lenderyou, who broke off a scrum 20 metres out, to touch down between the posts with Ryan Foreman adding the first of his 4 conversions.   Immediately on the re-start, Blaydon collected the kick-off and good hands saw centre Alex Clark brush off three would be tacklers to score a fine try wide out.   Unfortunately the same player suffered a facial injury a few minutes later and took no further part in the game with replacement Jack Appleton taking his place.    However, play continued in the same pattern and Dan Marshall scored a fine try which was added to when Elliott Beatty who finished off a forward drive, before Harry Borthwick got his usual as the home team completely dominated proceedings.
However, one minute before the break on a rare visit to Blaydon’s half, visiting winger James Eller saw the visitors reduce the gap with a well worked unconverted try in the corner.
This proved to be a game changer, just as last week, and for some reason again Blaydon’s ball supply dried up, handling became poor, and several wrong options saw Sandal presented with good ball and for the first time in the game their pack with Declan Thompson to the fore, saw scrum half Joe Bedford nip over before Thompson himself scored a fine try.   Luke Punton added the extras and then there was only a 12 point gap.   However, Blaydon got their act together and Marshall put the home side clear and despite Blaydon’s Captain Jack Davidson receiving a yellow card, Blaydon maintained their superiority although a late effort from visiting prop Tom Baxter reduced the arrears.
Blaydon once again got the five points with casual play in the second period again seeing them again looking over their shoulder but with a couple of games being postponed due to inclement conditions, the home side have now moved into second place in the table 6 points behind leaders Billingham.
The next league game is away to newly promoted Morpeth on Saturday 9th November – kick off 2.00.p.m, there will be no bus, travel by cars.  Come and support the team!
Jim Huxley

 

Blaydon 43 Lymm 35

Blaydon 43 Lymm 35
Seemingly well on the way to a handsome victory when 29 – 7 up at the break, Blaydon then became rather ragged in the second half when they failed to make use of good  ball, losing forward domination in the pack, and missing crucial tackles in midfield allowing Lymm to score four converted tries in the second period and generally dominating proceedings through their influential mid-field trio aided by the 100% kicking record of fullback Cormac Nolan.
The game began when Drew Davison touched down following a forward drive after 7 minutes and then Blaydon went further ahead when the visitors illegally collapsed a driving maul and Blaydon were awarded a penalty try.   Lymm immediately replied when, following a period of pressure, flyhalf Scott Redfern ghosted over from 20 metres for Nolan to kick the first of his five conversions.
However, at this stage Blaydon took control with their pack driving the opposition in the tight and little was seen of visiting attacks and it came as no surprise when Blaydon opened up a sizeable lead when firstly Harry Borthwick scored an unconverted try followed quickly by another from Daz Fearn when he finished off a forward drive which was convered by Jonathan Carey.
The home side at this stage were running the show and just on the interval, backs and forwards inter-passed for the front row to put Frazer Wilson over in the corner giving Blaydon a comfortable half time lead.
The second half began with the visitors immediately on the attack and hooker James Pitcher reduced the arrears in the 42nd minute but then home flyhalf Jonathan Carey who was seemingly carrying a leg injury, increased the home advantage when he dummied through between the posts and then added the extras.   The stand then all sat back awaiting another home victory, however unfortunately the home team had not read the script and play became disjointed, injuries not helping, and Lymm came more into the game showing their three quarter skills and running in three coverted tries by Cash Chilvers, Joe Senior, and Aaron Rashid .   Blaydon then began to look over their shoulder, however an individual effort by man of the match Harry Borthwick and a Nathan Horsfall conversion kept the home side on course for victory.
Both sides must reflect on the game, Blaydon on how after completely dominating proceedings, they fell away allowing the visitors to come back after the break.   Lymm on the other hand might reflect on how them didn’t get off the bus until after the break.
Next week Blaydon entertain Sandal and Lymm entertain Morpeth for what will be their first ever league game on their new AGP.
Jim Huxley

Rossendale 23 Blaydon 30

After an eventful journey down which saw us stopped at Wetherby Services by the police looking for attendees at a racial demonstration in Dewsbury and then being held up for 15 minutes on the M62 with traffic problems and roadworks, we eventually arrived at our destination to find perfect conditions for running rugby.

Following last week’s defeat to Billingham, we made several changes due to players returning after injury and unavailability. The game began with 10 minutes of Blaydon pressure but failure to finish off saw the scoreline blank and then on their first visit to the Blaydon half, a second good handling movement saw No. 7 Rob Bramhall brush off two tackles for a try which influential flyhalf Lewis Allen added the extras.

However, Blaydon immediately counter-attacked and further pressure saw good hands and Jack Davidson put in Jack Appleton for an unconverted try. At this time the game was end to end and the scoreline changed rapidly with Rossendale looking better than their league position and penalties by both sides saw the scoreline move on before full back Brad Cave put the home side into a 7 point lead. The game continued with Blaydon backs still dominating and No 8 Harry Borthwick finished off a good move to reduce the lead and Jordan Carey converted and then added a further penalty to see Blaydon 23 – 15 up at the break.

After the interval, the home side attacked and Allen scored a second penalty and Bramhall’s second try saw the scores level on the hour but at this stage the home side forwards began to tire and they struggled to repel Blaydon’s slick handling. Blaydon began to take territorial advantage and with 15 minutes to go a converted try by Freddy Lockwood again saw Blaydon go clear and the game finished with Blaydon cleverly running down the clock by forward domination and coming away with an excellent 5 points.

Jim Huxle

 

Blaydon 19, Billingham 22

 

We were losing 19-22 and pressing with 2 mins to go. Awarded a penalty 20m out Billingham went for a scrum and not a line out which they may have lost. With the ball up their jumpers, they then repeatedly recycled until seconds from time when we were awarded a penalty – this raised the temperature more than somewhat.

Our 5 m line out then led to 20+ drives at their line without success until awarded another penalty, a quick kick to the opposite wing then started the whole cycle all over again.

Spectators and players were then given a very necessary breather with an injury (the whole affair was more than a bit exciting by this stage) but there was more to come

Back to the original corner, this time with most of the backs joining in time after time until – you guessed a penalty for not releasing brought affairs to an end, many minutes over the 80, at 19-22

 

Possibly the best match at Crow Trees for a year or two with both teams exchanging the lead on several occasions. Billingham will be a threat to most teams and some of their attacking play was powerful and extremely original matched by the best defensive display seen at Blaydon for some time.

 

Blaydon now have several players who would get on to most teams in this league. Harry Borthwick was outstanding at No8 while Keith Laughlin wasn’t far behind.

 

The league seems to be settling down already with Billingham, Harrogate and Blaydon looking likely to be thereabouts by the end of the year

 

Rossendale away next week.

Wirral 15, Blaydon 19

We undertook our longest trip of the season and after a highly competitive game, came away with a narrow victory seeing us move up into second place in the table with leaders Harrogate having their game cancelled at Carlisle due to floodwater.

The game began with the Blaydon backs looking sharp and it came as no surprise when after twelve minutes winger Jack Appleton finished off in the corner for an unconverted try. However, whilst in control of lineouts the home pack were proving a handful and a yellow card midway through the half to Jack Davison saw us down to 14 men for ten minutes. It was during this period that the home side went in front when after a period of good possession, their wing forward Robbie Pearl touched down wide out for Craig Henry to convert. The home side retained their lead but immediately after the interval Blaydon scored a fine try when a three-quarter movement was finished off near the posts by second row Fred Lockwood, a late replacement for Keith Laughlin who withdrew from the game two hour before kick-off. This try was converted by Nathan Horsfall.

Despite now dominating exchanges and looking good in mid-field, Blaydon failed to make use of their possession and an unconverted try by home centre Craig Harvey brought them level after 46 minutes. During this period Wirral were on top and ten minutes later the same player added a penalty when Blaydon strayed offside. However with 20 minutes to go Blaydon finally got on top, Harry Borthwick finishing off another three quarter movement when he touched down near the posts for Horsfall to again add the points. This score then brought the home side to life and Blaydon defended admirably during the last ten minutes and with the game nearly finished and entering its last minute, a home player was badly injured and it took 15 minutes to remove him from the field of play. The game resumed with a penalty to the home side who kicked for the corner needing a try to claim victory. Five minutes of extra time saw Blaydon defending and repulsing home attacks. During this period we were penalised three times and on each occasion the home side went for the line-out and the pattern continued until the home side got over the line but Blaydon’s defence held them up and the referee blew time to conclude a very even contest.


Jim Huxley

Blaydon 64, Alnwick 24

Blaydon 64, Alnwick 24 – five point win takes us up into 3rd place

Blaydon 52, Macclesfield 32

Blaydon secured maximum points in a high scoring opening game of the season against Macclesfield, who were relegated from ND2 North last season.

Luctonians 31 Blaydon 17

Hopes of a bounce-back to National League 2 North for Blaydon were effectively scuppered in the opening 40 minutes of this play-off for promotion when the home side, playing against the elements, ran in 3 tries unanswered.
Luctonians on the day made better use of the conditions and with crisper handling and running were deserved winners, Blaydon only coming into it in the final quarter with 2 tries of their own.
Blaydon started well enough but 10 minutes of pressure brought no reward and when they dropped the ball on half-way were immediately made to pay. Man of the match Josh Watkins, the Luctonians full-back, sped clear down the wing for the first of his 2 tries and fly-half Lewis Silver added the conversion to make it 7-0.
When Blaydon erred as they had for the opening score Watkins was in again, this time from a smart diagonal break and on 35 minutes quick handling by the home side resulted in try No3 from winger Drew Cheshire with Silver once more on target.
With the interval approaching Blaydon finally got their side of the score-board moving having worked their way upfield for Jamie Guy to put over a penalty and make it 19-3 at the break.
Sadly the interval brought no relief for the visitors with Luctonians continuing as they had left off with 2 more tries in the opening 15 minutes of the second period. Their hooker Guy Kirby crossed near the posts from a forward drive and winger John Morris also touched down under the woodwork from an excellent handling movement with Silver landing a 3rd conversion to make it 31-3 with 20 minutes remaining.
Having been on the back foot for much of the previous 60 minutes Blaydon at last began to dominate the forward exchanges and salvage some pride. Five minutes of persistent pressure in the home 22, led in style by skipper Keith Laughlin, brought an opening score for centre Alex Clark plus the extras from Guy.
It was now the turn of the home side to be on the back foot and unable to cope with the power of the opposition forwards, and Blaydon at least had the consolation of finishing strongly and securing a second try when Guy went over from a breakdown and added the conversion himself.

John Brennan