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Blackheath 12 – Blaydon 29

A barnstorming second half, typical of all their games this season, gave Blaydon a well deserved second away win. Both sides were guilty at times of failing to hang on to good possession but in the opening quarter it was Blackheath who made the better use of theirs.

Andrew Baggett had given Blaydon the best of starts in the 2nd minutes with the first of his 4 penalties when the home team infringed at a scrum only for the visitors to concede 2 tries within the half-hour.

Full-back Mike Canty found himself unmarked on the wing to run in a simple try which was enhanced by John Carlisle, a late replacement for a colleague injured in the pre match warm-up. Flanker Dave Allen then touched down from a driving maul and Blackheath were 12-3 ahead, but that was to be the end of their domination and the home scoreboard remained unchanged for the remainder of the game.

With the Blaydon forwards taking control Baggett reduced the deficit with a brace of penalties to make it 12-9 at the break and then levelled the scores 2 minutes into the second period.

The rampant visitors went on settle matters with 3 tries in 8 minutes to which Blackheath had no answer. Chris Wearmouth in typical fashion went over from a driving maul, skipper Keith Laughlin finished off some terrific forward play with a try in the corner and finally prop-forward Andrew Foster applied the coup de grace after a multiphase movement.

Craig Willis took over the kicking role, Baggett having left the field injured, and landed a good conversion with 20 minutes still remaining, but the game was well and truly over.

John Brennan

Blaydon 21 – Coventry 16

Having spent the first 40 minutes in the doldrums Blaydon made 3 changes during the break and were instantly transformed. Trailing by 13 points unanswered, an excellent George Oliver try and 8 points from the boot of Cliff Hodgson, they tore into the visitors and were rewarded with a first try on 48 minutes.

A smart break by Joseph Heslop was whipped through the hands to replacement hooker Matt Hall who ran a perfect line to cross under the posts, and Andrew Baggett added the conversion.
Coventry by now were a shadow of their former selves and had no answer when the home side kicked a penalty to the corner and set up a trademark catch and drive. Skipper Keith Laughlin touched down and another Baggett conversion put Blaydon ahead.

A third Hodgson penalty after Matt Jones had failed with a long distance effort restored the Coventry lead, but not for long.

Blaydon were still in the ascendancy but time was running out when the visitors infringed at a scrum. Baggett found distance with the kick, and the forwards took it on again from the line-out looking for a second drive over.

This time however they let it out, Baggett found Toby Bain with the crispest of passes and the replacement centre stormed in for the winning try and Baggett once more put the icing on the cake.

Scoring

Blaydon
Tries: Hall 48, Laughlin 63, Bain 78.
Conversions : Baggett 48,63,78.

Coventry
Try: Oliver 20
Conversion: Hodgson 20
Penalties: Hodgson 10,30,71

Star man: Cliff Hodgson (Coventry)
Referee: Marcus Caton
Attendance: 339
HT 0-13 FT 21-16

John Brennan

Bricks benefit from further involvement from our U18s; Bishop Auckland 26, Blaydon Bricks 38

Once again the Bricks were fortunate to have a couple of U18s who are at work Sunday, so were able to take part in our fixture, so following good performances from David, Elliot and Joey we had 2 Nathans playing, one at Fullback and one in the Centre. On the showing of these 5 guys the future of Blaydon Rugby is in a great place.

Photos: Link to follow

Scorers:

Trys: Matt Goodall 3, Nathan M, Finnas

Conv: Nathan S 1

Penalties: Thacks 1, Nathan S 2

Bricks had arranged a friendly with Bishop Auckland IIIs, but arrived to find that Boro had cried off against BA2s and they had a squad of about 35 players. This certainly put the Bricks fitness to the test and although in the main we were always in control of this game, fresh players and tiring Bricks, (most of who think training is dangerous) almost lost us it in the end.

Highlights of the game:

· Early forward pressure at start of the game and ball goes blind and Nathan S puts Matt in for the first of his 3 trys
· Great driving controlled play by a large Bricks pack (shock on that game plan) with pick and go, time after time.
· Ryan played his first game for us this season and got stuck in with some big hits and driving yards
· Stu was everywhere, annoying the devil out of Bishop showing up in the middle of rucks and mauls and stealing balls
· Harry was available for the first time this season and continued where he left off with big hits all over the park
· Coatsey break from his own 22 with a massy run and off loads to Chester in Bishop 22 who was just pulled down short of the line
· Bishop try to keep the ball alive and throw a ball in play that was heading out and straight into Stu’s arms who breaks free and offloads to Matt for his second try
· On a number of occasions after scoring Bricks lost concentration and lost the ball, at the restart, then they were driven back off their own ball for the first Bishop try.
· Further pressure in the Bishop 22, ball goes blind and Nathan S stopped short but great off load to Matt for 3rd try
· 2nd half we took Coatsey off as he was a little battered and Nathan S came into 10 and played as if it was his natural position
· Confidence in the backs was growing and great hands along the back was well finished off by Nathan M
· Thacks kicking was putting us in good places
· Lowsey kept giving his brother Nathan hospital passes, brotherly luv,,,
· Drive after drive getting close to the line, Finnas peels off and throws a dummy no one should have taken but they did and he then drops ball forward in contact.
· Following scoring a penalty, at the subsequent kick off Keith Winter takes the high ball, unlike his brother Paul previous week he doesn’t break his little finger trying to use it to balance the ball on, off Keith goes, sees the length of the pitch and well, throws the ball forward, it had to be seen, although we still don’t understand what he was trying to achieve.
· Lowsey scrum half pass to Matty Bell, drops at his feet, which Matt picks off his toes and moves it on with a single motion, surprising even himself.
· Lowsey’s kick has to be mentioned, clearing outside of the 22 with a typical scrumhalf kick, it goes backwards into the 22 and is picked up by the Bishop winger for a try.

All in all a good day for the Bricks, good win away at Bishop, a number players returning for first Bricks game this season and a few new faces, especially the U18s all of who got a good run out which will improve the fitness levels for next week, imagine if this lot actually trained ……….

1. Finnas

2. Ian Bennie (Richard Pike)

3. Ryan

4. Cliff (Matty Bell)

5. Keith Winter

6. Harry

7. Stu Bailey

8. Windy

9. Liam (Lowsey)

10. Coatsey (Nathan S)

11. Damien (Craig Barlow)

12. Chester

13. Thacks (Nathan McCleod U18s)

14 Matt Goodall (Rob Pyle)

15 Nathan Somersail U18s

Ealing Trailfinders 36 – Blaydon 7

A much improved Blaydon side found themselves 19 points adrift after just 16 minutes, due in part to their first ever experience of an artificial surface, but were the dominant team for much of the game and on the end of a somewhat misleading final score-line.

They had ample scoring opportunities, ignoring a number of kickable penalties in favour of an attacking line-out, whilst the home side were quick to capitalise whenever they coughed up possession.

Ealing hooker Andre Radoi opened the scoring after the No8 had ran 75 metres through some poor tackling, and when Blaydon lost possession again their fly-half found prolific try score Phil Chesters on the wing to race in, James Love converting.

The Blaydon forwards were then pressing the home line but inexplicably let the ball out, Ealing intercepted, and Arthur Ellis was away for another length of the field score with Love on target to make it 19-0.

Blaydon once more responded and pulled back 7 points when full-back Nathan Bailey joined the line at speed to storm over, Andrew Baggett adding the extras, but just as quickly Ealing latched onto another loose ball and hacked it up-field for Chesters to grab his second.

Love with the conversion and then a penalty on 40 minutes made it a disappointing 29-7 at the break.

Flanker Chris Kinloch crashed over in the corner for a 5th Ealing try 8 minutes into the second period, Love once more on the mark, but that was to be the end of the scoring.

Blaydon were almost permanently in the home half for the remainder of the game but sadly lacked the clinical finishing that Ealing had shown earlier.

John Brennan

Bricks start the season with a win aganst Gateshead IIIs 22 – 12 Bricks

Pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/26086313%40N08/collections/

Scorers:
Trys: Divers, Joey, Thacks Stu Reay

Conversions: James 1

Our thanks to U18s and the Development who both lent us 3 payers to enable us to turn out a squad of 21

A typical start to the season from the Bricks, straight into a game and no training before, which given how hot the day was and how quick the game was, showed. Thankfully the three 17 and one 18 year olds were all over the park, making good breaks, which made the game really quick and tackled everything. On the showing here on their debut to senior rugby, Blaydon is in a great place with the youth coming through. Congratulations and a big thank you to our youth set up.

Headlines from the game:
Good to see Matt back from injury and it was a big hit in the middle of the park on a Gateshead break, that turned over the ball resulting in Divers going in for the first try.
Another good break up the narrow side by Divers, in the 22, was only stopped by a forward pass as James went over the try line.
Dave Gough making his debut went down hard on his shoulder and had to come off early, he’ll be back in a few weeks, which is good news.
Paulie Winter got driven back in the middle of the park by the only ginger on the park.
James short pass to Divers, through the middle and great hands from the backs to put Thacks in at the corner.
Adam watching as an opponent ran past him and stood on his foot, the look of surprise was fantastic, next time tackle the one in the other shirts, you daft bat.
2nd half
Good break from Matt and an offload to Stu Reay to score, then a touch of handbags as gateshead player dropped on Stu and Stu reacted. Stu came off and went for a walk to cool down.
Some good breaks from Elliot with Gateshead players hanging off him
James Murray made a great debut at flyhalf and ran the midfield
Good line out, 15 yards out and Adam sees space at the back of the line out and throws a middle ball way, way over the back where no Bricks were. It was just like Keith’s early line out days, although Keith never through that far
Gateshead get a penalty on the 22 and take it quickly, Matty Bell does a Matador impression and lets Gateshead through, too much touch rugby we think
On the day it seems Gateshead had a Stu prejudice, as a second Stu was removed from the pitch after reacting to silly behaviour. He soon calmed down and went back on to frustrate Gateshead again, tackling the dickens out of them, he was everywhere.
Adam, Strachs and Joe Melia from our 3s did canny as always, although looked like they were lacking a bit of fitness… trying to keep up with the speed of this Bricks game, well the U18s anyway.
Some good running and strong tackling from Joey, who switched to scrum half and dropped the Gateshead 8 a number of times.

All in all with a good result 22-12, Windy’s 50th and good few beers at Gateshead club with the opposition, trying their best to get drink down windy’s neck and a one at the Ninepins on the way back to his surprise party, great night.

Next week the league fixtures start at home to Novos IIIs, who were very strong at the end of last season.

RUGBY IS BACK…….

Team:

1. Joe Melia
2. Adam Keeler
3. Paul Winter
4. Strachs
5. Elliot Beattie U18s
6. David Gough U18s (Keith Winter)
7. Stu Bailey (Matty Bell)
8. Windy (PC)
9. Stu Reay
10. James Murray (Mo)
11. Joey Gray U18s
12. Chester
13. Phil Divers
14. Thacks (Ian Bennie)
15 Matt goodall

Not used – Craig Barlow

Blaydon 15 – Tynedale 20

An out of sorts Blaydon were on the back foot for much of the game and despite a late rally to earn a losing bonus point can have little complaint at the result.

Near neighbours Tynedale however were a constant threat with some excellent inter-passing from both forwards and backs alike, and in fly-half Gavin Beasley had a reliable goal-kicker, in sharp contrast to the home side.

Blaydon opened the scoring in their first attack in the 3rd minute when flanker Harry Bate was driven over from a rolling maul, but were soon penned back by a brace of Beasley penalties and trailed 5-6 at the break.

It was all Tynedale at the start of the second period and the lead was extended when Sep Visser wriggled over between the posts. Beasley added the extras and was on the mark again when Jack Harrison took advantage of a clearance charge-down to nip in for the visitors second score.
Now 5-20 in arrears Blaydon belatedly came to life and from a penalty to the corner Bate repeated his first half effort from close range.

With time running out they bombarded the Tynedale line with a series of catch and drives and after Joseph Anderson had been yellow carded were rewarded with a 3rd score, replacement Tom Small crossing in the corner, but it was all too little and far too late.

Scoring

Blaydon
Tries: Bate 3,65, Small 77

Tynedale
Tries: Visser 44, Harrison 51
Conversions: Beasley 44,51
Penalties: Beasley 11,32

Star man: Harrison (Tynedale)
Attendance: 610
Referee: Andrew Rawson
Half-time 5-6
Full-time 15-20

 

Spectacular Bonfire & Fireworks – Saturday 1st Nov.

Blaydon RFC bonfire, fireworks display and funfair is again promising to be extra spectacular this year, building on previous years experience of hosting the event

In addition ‘Maverick Rejects’ will be playing in the bar after the fireworks display.

Prices
£5 adults
£2 child
U3 FOC
£10 family ticket 2adults + 2children

5.00pm Fairground
6.30pm Bonfire
7.45pm Fireworks

With live music in Bar with: www.themaverickrejects.co.uk/

Promises to be another great night

Winning Start to the Season

The 3rd team opened their league campaign with a solid victory against a good and well organised Novos team.

The starting line up saw Michael Hastie, James Murray and Matthew Whitfield making their first appearances in a senior Blaydon team having stepped up from the youth section, and each of them gave an excellent account of themselves.

The early exchanges were as you would expect in the first game of the season but it was Blaydon who took the lead with a well worked try, successfully converted by the boot of Murray.

The Forwards dominated at scrum and lineout time winning ball and allowing the backs a platform to score from on a regular basis.

After half time Novos took control of the game however Blaydon were guilty of some poor discipline at the breakdown allowing Novos the opportunity to run penalties and score two tries, but from then onwards it was all Blaydon.

The excellent Mark Todd won a penalty centre field,  Blaydon opted to kick to the corner. Todd secured the lineout ball and the forwards worked hard to secure a drive over try.

Novos then had a series of attacking phases but the Blaydon defence was excellent. Strachan and Convery then worked hard in centre field to turn the ball over and set Joe Melia away. Melia released Murray on the wing who raced away up field and return the ball to Melia who broke a tackle and powered himself over the line.

With Novos becoming increasingly frustrated and Blaydon looking to increase the score the game threatened to bubble over in the closing moments but the referee sensibly called time.

Thanks must go to Windy and Keith Winter for providing cover from the bench

Next Week – Durham City at home. 1.45 meet for a 3pm kick off

Blaydon 38vs19 Novos

Team

15. Chris Hamilton, 14. Scott Whitfield, 13. Robert Pyle, 12. Liam Wright, 11. James Murray, 10. Chris Coates, 9. Steven Thackwray, 1. Adam Keller, 2. Michael Hastie, 3. Joe Melia, 4. Jonny Shaw, 5. Ryan Convery, 6. Matthew Whitfield, 7. Mark Todd, 8. Andrew Strachan (c)

Replacements – Dave Miller, Keith Winter

Darlington Mowden Park 23 – Blaydon 24

With just 10 minutes remaining Darlington looked set to start their life in National League One with a win over local rivals only to have victory snatched from their grasp by Chris Wearmouth the Blaydon lock-forward who stormed over for two late tries.

In an incident packed game the home side had both Rob Conquest and Henry Robinson yellow carded whilst the visitors were reduced to 14 men from the 45th minute when prop forward and director of rugby Micky Ward was sent off for violent conduct.

Rhodri Adamson opened the scoring for Blaydon with a 15th minute penalty but that was wiped out by Garry Law, Darlington’s man of the match, who kept Blaydon on the back foot throughout with some towering kicks and went on to land a personal tally of 13 points.
On 35 minutes the Blaydon forwards applied pressure in the 22 with Harry Bate twice making telling breaks before they moved it along the line for centre Tom Bramwell to finish off with Adamson converting, but right on the interval another Law penalty made it 6-10 at the break.

In the early minutes of the second period Blaydon were at sixes and sevens following the Ward dismissal and had no answer when home No8 Ollie Hodgson broke blind from a scrum to touch down. Law converted that effort and then kicked a 3rd penalty before Blaydon got themselves into a tangle behind their own posts and conceded a scrum from which Hodgson scored once more.

Law’s final contribution with the conversion took it to 23-10 but with victory in sight it all went wrong for them.

When Darlington illegally stopped a try being scored Blaydon kicked the penalty to touch and from a catch and drive Wearmouth went over. the Craig Willis conversion reducing the gap to 6 points, and in the final play of the game Blaydon produced an identical scenario with the Wearmouth/Willis combination securing a dramatic finale.

John Brennan

Ayr 32 – Blaydon 12 Pre Season Friendly

Despite several late changes in the travelling squad Blaydon were well in control in the first period after absorbing early home pressure which resulted in an easy three points from in front of the posts, After both Tom Jeffery and Frazer Wilson had gone close the visitors went into the lead following a simple 9 to 14 move which saw the former touch down in the corner for an unconverted try on the half hour.

Forward momentum kept Blaydon in the home 22 and a neat Rhoderie Adamson break allowed Andrew Archibold to go over between the posts for the scrum half to add the extras.

Injuries then upset the Blaydon continuity and three mistakes presented the home team with three tries in eight minutes. A Blaydon revival saw a spell of pressure and a five metre lineout, strangely moved five metres back by the 14 year old touch judge after a word from a helpful Ayr player.It must be pionted out that no touch judges were appointed and each side were asked to do the duty. Consequently the referee had a difficult task and offsides were at a premium.

With time running out two late tries widened the margin and gave the home team a somewhat flattering scoreline.

Jim Hux