Blaydon RFC 23 v 27 Loughborough Students
Blaydon’s first game back in National Leagues ends in narrow defeat.
The game started fairly evenly with the first 20 minutes finishing 6 – 3 to Blaydon RFC with Ryan Foreman kicking two penalties for Blaydon and Charlie Titcombe replying with one for Loughborough Students.
As the first half progressed Loughborough began to gain the ascendency and the first try of the game came on 23 minutes through scrum half Iwan Burgwin. Loughborough were the better team for the rest of the first half but it was a turnover on their own line, that led to a length of the field try for winger O’Leary-Blade. This took Loughborough’s lead to 17-6 at half time as both tries were converted by Charlie Titcombe.
The start of the second half continued the same as the end of the first with Loughborough edging things, but it was Blaydon who scored first with Foreman adding another penalty. On 53 minutes the students made pressure count and substitute Ben Smith scored a 3rd try for Loughborough which was again converted by Charlie Titcombe.
This score led to a Blaydon revival, 5 minutes later and Liam Wright scored Blaydon’s first try following a driving maul. Blaydon were starting to get a foothold in the game now and another try followed, scored by Ethan Clarke making his debut for Blaydon, both tries were converted by Foreman taking the score to 23-24.
Loughborough extended their lead with another Titcombe penalty and although Blaydon pushed very hard for the winning score Loughborough Students defended well and ran out 23-27 winners in a well contested first game of the season.
Full Time Score: Blaydon 23 – Loughborough Students 27
Referee: Michael Harris
Attendance: 248
Half Time Score Blaydon 6 – Loughborough Students 17
Man of the Match: Charlie Titcombe (Loughborough)
