[match id=109]

Blaydon slumped to a 5th successive defeat with this overall disappointing performance against relegation candidates Henley. They had ample possession throughout, the home side were only once in the Blaydon half in the second period, but lacked continuity in the backs and contrived to waste their opportunities.

Henley on the other hand had few opportunities but latched onto Blaydon errors to score breakaway tries and had built up a useful lead by the interval.

It was Blaydon who opened the scoring when No8 Jason Smithson touched down from a short scrum but the advantage was short lived with Henley winger Xavier Andre capitalising on a fortuitous bounce to race clear from 25 metres.

Fly-half James Comben added the extras and then a penalty before former Blaydon favourite Ed Yarnton scooted down the touchline for a second try. Blaydon responded with some good attacking play but when a penalty to touch failed to reach its destination the home side broke up-field for man of the match Comben to storm over from a catch and drive and again added the conversion.

Facing a half-time deficit of 20-5 Blaydon took control after the break and excellent forward pressure was rewarded when lock Chris Wearmouth crashed over. Andrew Davies failed with the conversion but a later penalty took them within bonus point range only for Comben to deny them the point with a similar effort in a rare Henley attack.

John Brennan

Having been out of contention for much of the game and still trailing 27-17 by the 75th minute Old Albanians pulled off a remarkable victory by doubling their score with 2 converted tries and a penalty in the time remaining.

Full-back Oliver Marchon had kicked off the recovery with his second try of the game on 64 minutes but with Blaydon in control of the mid-field there was still no hint of the turn-around to come. Replacement prop Sam Staff however made an instant impact when he appeared on the scene and from his burst the ball was whipped out to George Saunders who crossed in the corner.

Lawrence Raynor added an excellent conversion and then a penalty almost from the restart, and in the 80th minute was on target again to add the extras when Camilo Parilli-Ocampo stormed over for the winner.

Blaydon it has to be said had looked nailed on for victory after flanker Harrry Bate had touched down the opener and then Sean Brown capitalising on a sensational break from his own 22 by scrum-half Andy Davies.

Early in the second period Tom Banks cruised in after good work by Brown for a 3rd Blaydon try to take the home advantage to 27-10, but against all odds it was the visitors who had the last word.

Star man: Lawrence Raynor (Old Albanians)

Referee: Matthew O’Grady
Attendance: 122
HT: 17-10 FT: 27-34

Scorers

Blaydon
Tries: Bate 15, Brown 33, Banks 50
Conversions: Baggett 30,33,50
Penalties: Baggett 15,44

Old Albanians
Tries: Marchon 39,64, Saunders 75, Parrilli-Ocampo 80
Conversions: Raynor 38,64,76,80
Penalty: Raynor 1,77

Reporter: John Brennan

Today we entertain Old Albanian who are currently 8th in the league with 59 points – two places below ourselves.

Earlier in the season we met in a close encounter eventually finishing at 27 all although we scored four tries to their three and picked up the extra bonus point.

Old Albanian come into this game having last week defeated relegation condenders Henley 19 – 10 whilst we lost 24 – 19 to a Doncaster side who included our former centre Matt Clark. This was an absorbing match with the home side leading 24 – 7 just after the break only for ourselves to eventually take advantage of abundant possession and gradually close the gap to only five points playing the last 18 minutes with 14 men having used all our subsistutes. Indeed, one unbiased pundit on Rolling Maul, said it was difficult to tell which side was the full-time professionals! Nevertheless, it was a great game between two equally matched sides.

Last week’s other results saw second placed Rosslyn Park scrape a one point win at Loughborough Students and victories for Blackheath, Richmond, Tynedale and Coventry. The former three thus improving their survival hopes and looking at the fixtures over the next few weeks, all the bottom four sides meet each other and it could be by the end of March that the situation is a little clearer. At present, Cinderford, with games in hand on everyone else, still appear to have a good chance of staying up.

Recent club Cup results have seen all our Junior sides advance to the semi-final stages of their respective competitions with the Bricks actually in their final. Maybe once again, we will retain all cups! It must be noted that currently we are the only club in the North East running four sides.

The referee today is Matthew O’Grady, making his first ever visit to Crow Trees. Matthew is new to the panel this season and such has been his progress, that he has already done a couple of British and Irish Cup games but most importantly, he is a barrister so no doubt there will be no arguing today!!

Next week we take the long trip to Henley for the re-arranged game with the bus leaving at 4.00.p.m. on Friday.

Finally, a note to members reminding them that the car boot sale re-started last week and for a change we had fine weather and with this week also looking good, we seemingly are getting off to a good start. Bob Bartle is again in charge and is always on the look-out for a couple more volunteers! Our mid-week car boot sale will commence in mid-May for 20 weeks until mid-September and details will shortly be released but again, we are looking for any available mid-week volunteers for a Wednesday morning.

Jim Huxley

Referee : Matthew O’Grady
Assistant Referees : Dean Lithgoe/Alan Hughes

Blaydon were seeking a double over runaway league leaders Doncaster and for much of yesterdays clash at Castle Park could easily have achieved that goal. They had all the early pressure and possession and spent 75% of the second period in their opponents 22 only to be denied a try on 4 occasions they were over the try line.

The home side however had the happy knack of soaking up the pressure and then capitalising on an error to break up-field and score

They did exactly that on 16 minutes when former Blaydon centre Matt Clark produced a perfect side-step to beat his man and touch down and then flanker Mike Hills finished off a move after the visitors had contrived to lose possession on half-way.

Doug Flockhart converted both scores and Chris Walker took their advantage to 19 points with a 3rd try before Blaydon finally got some reward for their efforts when No8 Jason Smithson went over from close range right on the interval and Andrew Baggett added the extras.

Flockhart completed the Doncaster scoring soon after the restart from an excellent three-quarters move to make it 24-7 and from then on it was all Blaydon.

Somehow the home line remained intact, the referee consistently failing to confirm a touchdown, until neat work by Andrew Davies led to a Zach Kibirige try, the winger having to twist out of the tackle to force his way over.

The Blaydon pressure continued but with all the replacements having been used they were reduced to 14 men for the final quarter when Kibirige went off injured. Still the pressure on the home line continued with the Blaydon forwards encamped in the 22 until finally Smithson crossed for his second, Baggett again converting.

A bonus point was ensured but the final whistle put paid to what could have been a notable victory.

John Brennan