Blaydon RFC v York RUFC

On a wet and cloudy morning the coach set off to Blaydon RFC, who had not been beaten at home this season on their artificial playing surface.

The early encounters saw the home side exert territorial advantage showing their ability to maintain possession, for the first 10 minutes of the game. Eventually York reached their opponents 22, using three very effective pick & goes then a quick recycle. The ball moved quickly to the open side to Harry Shackleton, he then doubled back to the blindside. Using very delicate foot work with the ability to stay on his feet, a 2v1 was created with Sam Croft in support outside, Harry decided he did not need Sam and produced a beautiful dummy, the hole opened up and a clear path to the try line opened up, he then converted his own try.

Mid way of the half Blaydon drove deep into the York 22, they were then awarded a penalty, which was placed into the corner, the line out was not contested, York defended this catch & drive maul, then ball was recycled to Nathan Horsfall no12 who then broke our line to score by the upright, the simple conversion was sent wide. York then produced some thrilling handling, Jonty Atkinson coming off his wing looking for work, often inside or outside our no10, giving Harry options and occasionally on the other wing. Toby Atkin giving the ball directly to no12 from set pieces, giving variety and keeping defences guessing.

The set pieces i.e. line outs beginning to function producing good possession off the top and the powerful scrum going forward, this has been a feature of our game. This allowed a quick service from Toby Atkin allowing Harry Shackleton to take the ball to the tackle line, so that our centres were able to create holes and run with the ball penetrating Blaydon’s defence, not to mention their big hits in defence. We are blessed with a quality pair of halfbacks.

Angus Barick penetrates only to find Liam Hessay on his shoulder again Dan Evans pops up inside in support with the line at his mercy and scores under the posts, Shackleton adding the extras. Moments later it is Will Fordy making a clean break up the middle, Toby in support, reminding me of Antoine Dupont, on his inside is Shane Goulding who has the pace to finish the movement, Shackleton converts again. Towards the end of the first half there are a series of unforced errors and penalties, also some stout defence from both teams, our defence from driven line out was brilliant.
Then a great counter ruck from Luke Stockton driving three Blaydon players off the ball, then emerging to make a 30m break, taking play to the halfway.

Before half time York again rotating their props, we would see this again midway through the second half. Half time Blaydon 5 York 21

At the beginning of the second half saw some very effective pick ups from the base of the scrum by no8 Luke Stockton gaining ground and getting over gain lines, also the classic quick penalty taps from Toby, often far too quick for referees, these are his speciality. York now ring the changes Joe Maud for Sam Croft, Luke Stockton into the 2nd row, this brought Kyle Consterdine on who had a big impact. A dash close to the line by the big prop looked like being unstoppable and needed a very good tackle to stop him, a memorable moment was his run covering some 50 meters, almost ending in a try.

Blaydon seized upon a York error, from their goal line some 90 meters later they produced a line out on the York 5m line, again this was won by Blaydon who set up a driving maul, it was defended by York, almost a replica of the try scored in the first half, the ball was recycled this time scored by no13, Roy Foster, Nathan Gough converting.

We are thinking, all we need is the bonus point try, George Davies replaces Liam Hessay. Shortly follows a line out on the Blaydon 5m, York drive it a couple of phases, then the ball is moved wide through the hands, George enters the line to produce the overlap for Jonty Atkinson to score in the corner. With the score 12-28 in York’s favour we take our foot off the brake allowing Blaydon to create territorial pressure, a yellow card is given for a deliberate knock on. From the penalty and ensuing line out Blaydon, produce a driving maul for Alex Dodds to score, the try converted by Nathan Gough.

A strong run from Joe Maud breaking into Blaydon’s half, then up pops Shane Goulding looking to score, he reads the situation perfectly and scissors with Mitch Ashman coming off his wing, who cruises in to score, again the conversion from the touchline for Shackleton. Final Score 17-35. A deserved victory and a thoroughly entertaining afternoon played by both teams who wanted to play Rugby.