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
