Blaydon RFC 17 v Rotherham RFC 49

Perhaps unexpectedly Blaydon started very much the brighter of the two sides and were rewarded on 3 minutes after an excellent flowing movement from Blaydon, starting in their own half was finished off by prop Drew Thompson.

Not long after that Blaydon scored again, this time a cross field kick by Blaydon Scrum Half, Clarkson was well taken over the line by Jonny Ashman to take the score to 14-0 , with both tries converted by Ewan Greenlaw. He then put Blaydon further ahead with a penalty.

Rotherham finally came to life after 20 minutes and Williams scored from a catch and drive from a line out. Shortly after this score perhaps crucially Blaydon lost their player coach and major influencer Keith Laughlin to an elbow injury, having already lost Anthony Harrison in the back row.

The game changed from this point forward and not long after that blow a good break by former Blaydon player Matt Clark led to a score out wide for blind side flanker Lewis Allan, bringing Rotherham right back into the game at 17-12 at half time.

Blaydon started the 2nd half positively but a break away by Dunn took Rotherham into the lead for the first time. Rotherham further extended their lead with a penalty, kicked by replacement Jonathan West.

Then two further breakaway tries by Rotherham led to two more tries by Cook and Pleasant ensured Rotherham of the win. Rotherham added further insult to Blaydon with another try by another former player Francis Entressengle.

Final score 17-49

Full Time Score: Blaydon 17 – 49 Rotherham

Referee: Michael Harris

Attendance: 262

Half Time Score Blaydon 17 – 12 Rotherham

Man of the Match: Lewis Allan