Rosslyn Park 20 – Blaydon 15

Having being generally outplayed in the first half when they had the wind advantage Blaydon turned it round after the break and were unlucky not to have gone on to win.

High flying Rosslyn Park were much the better organised and monopolised the early play, taking the lead through their scrum-half Luke Carter who found a convenient gap near the corner.
Andrew Baggett pulled back 3 points when the home side were caught offside but Park scored again after Blaydon had failed to secure the ball and winger Neville Edwards finished off an excellent move.

With Park having the lions share of possession another try was inevitable and just before the interval Carter went in for his second after much re-cycling. None of the tries were converted and at that stage it was a deserved 15-3 lead for the home side.

It was all Blaydon at the start of the second period with the forwards now asserting themselves and after some considerable pressure in the 22 flanker Jason Smithson crashed over in the corner.

Disappointingly for Blaydon home winger Joe Ajuwa then broke clear down the right to secure a bonus try for Park and extend the lead to 20-8.

Going into the final quarter however Blaydon stuck to their task and after spending 10 minutes encamped in the corner were finally rewarded when centre Toby Bain touched down near the flag. Baggett added the extras and then almost set up a winning try with a delicate chip ahead. Winger Tom Jeffery raced through and with a fine catch was heading for the line when brought down by a last ditch tackle.

John Brennan