Blaydon 27 – Old Albanians 34

Having been out of contention for much of the game and still trailing 27-17 by the 75th minute Old Albanians pulled off a remarkable victory by doubling their score with 2 converted tries and a penalty in the time remaining.

Full-back Oliver Marchon had kicked off the recovery with his second try of the game on 64 minutes but with Blaydon in control of the mid-field there was still no hint of the turn-around to come. Replacement prop Sam Staff however made an instant impact when he appeared on the scene and from his burst the ball was whipped out to George Saunders who crossed in the corner.

Lawrence Raynor added an excellent conversion and then a penalty almost from the restart, and in the 80th minute was on target again to add the extras when Camilo Parilli-Ocampo stormed over for the winner.

Blaydon it has to be said had looked nailed on for victory after flanker Harrry Bate had touched down the opener and then Sean Brown capitalising on a sensational break from his own 22 by scrum-half Andy Davies.

Early in the second period Tom Banks cruised in after good work by Brown for a 3rd Blaydon try to take the home advantage to 27-10, but against all odds it was the visitors who had the last word.

Star man: Lawrence Raynor (Old Albanians)

Referee: Matthew O’Grady
Attendance: 122
HT: 17-10 FT: 27-34

Scorers

Blaydon
Tries: Bate 15, Brown 33, Banks 50
Conversions: Baggett 30,33,50
Penalties: Baggett 15,44

Old Albanians
Tries: Marchon 39,64, Saunders 75, Parrilli-Ocampo 80
Conversions: Raynor 38,64,76,80
Penalty: Raynor 1,77

Reporter: John Brennan