League
Blaydon RFC 31 v Percy Park Lions RFC 34
Close Encounter of the Blaydon kind
A gutsy performance saw the Lions get over the line at Blaydon in, what was, a close encounter.
Playing with the wind first half , on several occasions,we failed to exit well putting ourselves under pressure . We allowed the opposition 10 to run the show and utilise his hard running centres to make gains in our territory. No Suprise when the hosts went 7-0 up.
We were undoubtedly under the cosh but the pack worked hard and Bobin Houghton at 9 always looked a threat. Somewhat against the run of play Sam McDonald broke down the left . took contact with his winger and popped inside to Dan Jackson who crossed under the posts. 7-7. But we failed to deal with the restart and were immediately put under pressure and Blaydon crossed and converted 14-7.
Defending too deep caused us problems but the lads persevered and Ben Anderson notched a long range penalty 14-10.
Then more good work by Anderson down the left saw him make ground and pass inside to Robin Houghton to cross, 14-15 to the Lions. Annoyingly we then we failed to deal with another kick off, Blaydon scored and at the half we were 19-15 down.
Half time was put to good use we said we would concentrate on line speed and dealing with kicks effectively, and the second half was a transformation.
We put Blaydon under so much pressure they started to make mistakes and we forced numerous errors. The returning Connor Rogerson came on for a hero's cameo. Sniping from the 22 he fought off two defenders and somehow got over the line but unfortunately injured himself in the process .19-22 to Lions. We were starting to turn the screw. Whilst the hosts had lots of ball we pressed so high they regularly lost ground.
We camped in their half and were rewarded from a ruck when Karl Thompson executed an 'Exeter' 19-27 Park. Then ten minutes to go Blaydon had the ball on their ten metre line, the backs flew up again and Sam McDonald snatched an interception and scorched in from 40 metres 19-34 Lions, we dared to dream.
We were down to our last 15 walking men and the work rate was taking its toll.Blaydon won a series of penalties and in a rolling maul the ref missed a clear knock on and they crossed for 24-34. Out on our feet Blaydon had the bit between their teeth and with five to go crossed again 31-34.The last minute was tense. The Blaydon flanker avoided several tackles until we infringed ten metres off our line. Led by Kark Thompson the pack did not contest the line out (against the coaches judgement) but dug in and held the maul for what seemed like forever, Blaydon unable to move forward or get knees down the ref blew (seems as if the players know best) and that was it.
A great win which saw the senior players employ much of the defensive tenacity that has been instilled by Coach Laughlin. A good day at the office but no time to rest, Tynedale next week hopefully with numbered shirts!