Club News
Blaydon Bricks take on Houghton Boars
Current table standing:
A great game, that could have gone either way, played hard, physical but in good spirit, what an entertaining edge of the seat game right to that last whistle when Blaydon nearly won it with a break out of the 22, all in all, a great advertisement for Durham County Cup Rugby.
A game of 2 differing styles; Winlaton with a big pack and forward dominance, and Development with pace in both backs and forward that put fear into the Saxons every time they got the ball, but for a few decisions, some our own, it could have been very different, it was just a shame that someone had to lose and really hard to swallow that it was this bunch of lads. The youth with complete lack of fear to try anything from anywhere, the ability with the ball, the fitness and the never give up attitude on display in this team (with about 9 of this squad U20s) is a great sign for the future of Blaydon RFC.
We lost by a score to a team who knew their strength was big forwards and used them well, who continuously slowed the game down (can’t blame them for that!) and Blaydon with ball in hand looked capable of scoring from anywhere, just a shame we left a couple of trys out there, not capitalising on overlaps, a stray foot in touch when running a try in, penalised for what was a charge down, which instead of taking the conversion for what was a good score, we were back defending a penalty against, for a judged deliberate knock on from a Winlaton kick!!!!. To be fair to the officials, aside from yellow carding the wrong player in the first half and this decision. the officials did a good job on the day and helped make the game the spectacle it was.
It would be wrong to single anyone out, the whole squad contributed to what was a great effort and you were unlucky not to come away with the win, well done all.
Congratulations to Winton Saxons, enjoy the year, these lads will take the cup back from you next year.
Photos by Derek Turnbull: https://www.flickr.com/photos/26086313@N08/albums/
Scorers
Trys: Jak 2, Max 1
Conv: Jak 3
Squad:
1 Damien Martinez
2 Oliver Williams
3 Jake Jobey (Scott Kelly)
4 Ewan Lowry
5 Will Daniels (Matt Johnson)
6 Rob Pyle
7 Jake Armstrong
8 Andrew Steinburg
9 Jak Tuck
10 Mark McCallan
11 Craig Oliver (Tom Allway)
12 Max Nellis
13 Damien Ameer-Beg (Capt)
14 Ewan Prichard
15 James Murray (Andrew Savory)
16 Cameron Richardson
17 Brett Hanratty
18 Scott Kelly
19 Matthew Johnson
20 Adam Tunrbull
21 Tom Allway
22 Andrew Savory
Kick off at Kendal 3pm
Kendal XV Vs Blaydon Bricks KO 1pm
Blaydon RFC AGM will be held on Thursday 2nd May starting at 7:30pm in the Derwent Suite at the club.
An active full club membership is required to attend
Agenda and nominations required for Executive Committee positions will be shared soon.
How a fortnight can change everything. We recently travelled to Ilkley on what looked to be a horrible wet and windy day, but in true Yorkshire style it turned out to be a lovely day to play rugby at an even better setting. Ilkleys new club house and pitch was one of the best I have visited and we were warmly welcomed.
The game was a hard fought affair. Blaydon got off to a tremendous start with Frazer Wilson finishing off a well executed 3v2. After such a positive start we stuttered struggling to keep possession for any threatening period of time.
Defending immensely well kept us in the lead and the one time we put phases together Jack Appleton scores a wonderful team try. We eventually came out winners, Ilkley denying us the bonus point win. A hard fought four points but they game had its casualties with Nathan Bailey breaking his hand and needing an operation on it which will keep him out for the season. All the best for your recovery.
We had a week off last week but others around us did not. Billingham travelling to Kirby on a horrible day saw them complain how the game was allowed to go ahead and saw them defeated 17-5. When we travelled there on an equally horrible Blaydon players rallied around and won 36-0. The first time they had been beaten at home for a very long time. That was Blaydon’s best performance of the season and our mindset was superb that day.
This weekend we welcome Wilmslow who are finding this season difficult in the lower half of the league. We must though come with a mindset that match Kirby Lonsdale away game to get the better of them today. They recently put 47 points on A very good Wirral team showing they are a dangerous outfit that can beat anyone on their day.
I hope to see lots of faces cheering us on today then hopefully in the bar to watch Falcons take on Sale at St James in a huge match. Let’s hope they can get one step closer to a great escape.
One game at a time for Blaydon though.
Welcome back to Blaydon today after what seems a long late season break of a month since we last played at home. Following our fine win against Rossendale on 15th February we had a good win at Wirral and followed that up with a much tighter win at Ilkley where our defence was outstanding. Ilkley were excellent hosts and are well supported by sponsors even though many of them never actually watched the game but enjoyed their social occasion. I was delighted that Brian and Ozzy who tirelessly attend our gate were able to join us and enjoy their lunch and the Bus trip.
Today we welcome Wilmslow, who travel up from wealthy south Cheshire. We enjoyed their hospitality in November and whilst they have had a disappointing season lying bottom of the league, they surprised perhaps themselves and the league in general in their last game against Wirral achieving their 2nd victory of the season, winning 47-34. We must make sure their winning ways are not continued today if we are to achieve our aim of finishing second in this league and giving ourselves a chance of promotion against the eventual runners up in the Midlands Premier League at the end of the season.
Congratulations go to Hull Rugby Club who are now unable to be caught and are thus promoted as Champions to National 2 North. It will be interesting to see if Hull Ionians achieve promotion from that league at the end of the season, otherwise there will no doubt be a fiery derby there next season .
Last week’s other surprise result was Kirkby Lonsdale’s win against Billingham in the wet edge of the Lake District. If ever we needed inspiration that was it, and the result of todays Harrogate versus Hull game is equally important to us.
Today sees the Newcastle Falcons aim to continue their recent winning ways, this time at St James Park against Sale (Kick off 17.30). We wish them well and no doubt a number of our regular supporters will be going there, either missing this game or rushing off after our match finishes. The game will however be on TV in the Clubhouse for those not able or wishing to attend.
Our final League home game is in two weeks time against Kirkby Lonsdale and it would be nice to see a good gathering for lunch before this vital match. Please let Sharon know if you wish to attend and perhaps bring a friend or neighbour so they can enjoy the experience.
Lets hope for another entertaining game today and that results go our way
Bill Locke
At Blaydon RFC we are asking for your support in sharing the story of one of our young player’s families. Louis has 2 sisters, Nicole & Jessica who both have a rare life limiting genetic condition.
The family travel to Great Ormond Street every 2 weeks for the girls, which is a 4 hour enzyme replacement brain infusion. Sadly, the family have just been told that the treatment they get will not be funded by NHS as it is deemed ‘not good value for money’. This treatment is saving the girls lives & could be Jessica’s cure.
The family is obviously devastated but will keep fighting.
Please see the recent Sunday Mirror article and also their facebook page, links below:
The family are arranging a fundraising ball on Saturday 6th July at The Grand Hotel Gosforth, details on poster below on what you need to do to attend.
Confirmation of dates for the two finals:
3rd Team Cup Final:
Saturday 6th April – Durham 3rd Team Cup
Winlaton Saxons v Blaydon Development at Gateshead, KO 3pm
4th Team Shield:
Saturday 13th April – Durham 4th Team Shield
Houghton Boars v Blaydon Bricks at Ryton, KO 3pm