Blaydon 24 Cinderford 14

[match id=93]

Blaydon made it three in a row with this 5 point win over fellow strugglers Cinderford who remain rooted in the nether regions of the league.

Whilst the score-line suggests a comfortable victory Blaydon needed to be on their mettle in defence as the visitors at times enjoyed a lions share of possession. So much so that in the opening quarter they took up residence in the home 22, spurning penalty after penalty in favour of a line-out catch and drive.

Blaydon had little option but to soak up the pressure but they did so successfully and went on to run-in 3 first half tries.

Skipper Keith Laughlin secured the opener from close range after a Tom Banks burst from half-way, and then Banks grabbed the first of his brace with another break and fine jinking run through the defence. Andrew Baggett added the conversion and was on the mark again when Jason Smithson made it 17-0 in the 35th minute.

Cinderford finally got some reward for their earlier pressure when winger Nevero Codlin touched down in the last play of the half, Mike Wilcox converting.

Blaydon were quickly back in control just 2 minutes into the second period, securing a try bonus point when Tom Grimes broke clear in mid-field with a searing run to release Banks who scooted in down the left wing. A touch-line conversion by Baggett completed the Blaydon scoring and much of the remaining possession was controlled by Cinderford.

They pulled back another 7 points when prop-forward William Davis completed a drive by the pack, Wilcox again on target, but despite much huffing and puffing never looked likely to get any closer.

John Brennan