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