Saturday 26th. January 2008
Blyth 22pts Whitby 27pts
In a closely contested match full of incident and well controlled by referee Alan Moses, third placed Whitby did just enough to beat fourth placed Blyth. Despite showing seven changes from the previous week, Blyth knitted together quickly and had the better of the opening exchanges. After only five minutes a well worked move led to an overlap resulting in centre Cliff Brooks scoring, and with fly half Graeme Sutherland converting, Blyth led 7-0.
Photo: Stephen Long and Barry Harnett do some text-book rucking to recycle the ball
Whitby were quick to reply with a try from right wing Peter Skentiford, but showing great determination wing forward Jonathon Smith crashed over the line to stretch Blyth’s advantage to 12-5. A dreadful defensive error allowed Whitby prop James Gildroy to cut the lead to 12-10. An accidental clash of heads disrupted Blyth as Lee Baxter had to retire with Brooks moving from centre to full back and Liam Heslop coming off the bench to make his first team debut at centre. Heslop was on the receiving end of a couple of meaty challenges early on, but coped well and showed promise throughout the remains of the match.
Photo: Debutant Liam Heslop confidently takes on the Whitby defence
Blyth were guilty of lack of concentration when just before the break, second row Andy Watson evaded several tackles before scoring to put Whitby ahead 15-12. Facing a sharp wind, Blyth were on the back foot for the early part of the second half and having failed twice to clear their lines, conceded another try to Stentiford, putting Whitby 20-12 ahead. At this point, Whitby were in control but a penalty from Sutherland cut the lead to 20-15. A spell of ferocious attacking from Blyth which, but for taking wrong options, might have settled the match, led eventually to number 8, Steven Henderson, touching down. Sutherland converted for Blyth to retake the lead 22-20. Blyth coach Joe Miller rang the changes, bringing on Tim Beech and Sonny Scott respectively for Mark Savage and Mack Morris and it was now anybody’s game. Unfortunately for the home side, it was Whitby who had enough left to grab the spoils when having twice gone close, finally managed to cross the line through prop Darren Lonsdale with centre David Straker converting for a final score of 27-22.
Next Saturday, February 2nd, Blyth are at home to D&N 2 League leaders Ashington in the County Plate with the K.O. at the earlier time of 2pm.
Saturday 19th. January 2008
Blyth’s run of six consecutive wins came to an abrupt end at Bullocksteads when a full strength Team Northumbria coached by ex-Falcon’s player, Richard Arnold, slammed them 88-10. The students, who are able to field several players of national representative standard, confirmed their second place in the division with a fine all-round performance
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Photo: Blyth forwards fight for possession
Photo: "Stretch" Long gets to grips with Northumbria forwards but looks in need of reinforcements
Photo: In the face of blanket cover winger James Bostock is forced into kicking
From Blyth’s point of view, it was no disgrace to lose to such excellent opponents. They are a young side whose main problem is inexperience not lack of skill or heart. If they can set their sights upon the standards set by Team Northumbria and work towards these in the coming months then they could end up by being an exceptional team themselves.
Any thoughts Blyth had of a comeback were shattered in the first 7 minutes of the second half when defensive lapses allowed the students to score 4 quick-fire tries without response. At 55-5 Blyth could have crumbled totally but kept their composure. They were not able prevent further scores at intervals but heads did not drop and there were several instances of good individual play. In the last 10 minutes Blyth managed several attacks which died only metres away from their opponents line to eventually have the final say with Jonathon Smith being driven over the line just before the final whistle.
Blyth were mainly undone by lapses at the start of both halves. Having difficulty coping with the pace, skill and imagination of the student side Blyth found themselves 19-0 down after only 15 minutes. At this point they realised that whilst Northumbria had mastery in open play they were vulnerable to tight forward drives and some disciplined mauling saw them claw their way back into the game. A momentary lapse allowed the students a further try scored from 80 metres out but Blyth responded with some slick passing of their own after a forward drive, with James Bostock going over in the corner. However, Northumbria pulled the points back just before the interval with another slick break-out to turn around 29-5 in the lead.
Team Northumbria 88 Blyth 10
SATURDAY 12th. JANUARY 2008
Blyth 45 Seaham Harbour 0
Another efficient performance saw Blyth increase their winning streak to six with a 45-0 demolition of Seaham Harbour.
Blyth got off to a cracking start with a brilliant solo try from scrum Half James Bostock converted by fly half Graeme Sutherland with only five minutes on the clock. A second quickly followed from hooker Martin Stephenson, who then lived up to his nickname of ‘Rhino’ as sheer upper body strength took him over the line for his second, Sutherland converting both.
Photo: Martin Stephenson leaves the Seaham defence flatfooted in going over for his first try
At this stage21-0 adrift, Seaham looked to be facing a thrashing, but for a spell Blyth seemed to lose their way. Eventually, just before half time, Sutherland joined the try scorers and unlike and unlike the previous week when he enjoyed little success, he notched his fourth conversion. With a 28-0 lead and no adverse conditions to contend with the spectators looked forward to the Blyth side running riot, but it did not happen.
Although penned in their own ‘22’ for the first 20 minutes of the second half, Seaham defended bravely while on their part Blyth seemed to have gone completely off the boil and were unable to unlock the visitors rearguard. Seaham began to see some hope and put Blyth on the back foot for a ten minute spell when the home side had to pull out all the stops to keep the score sheet blank.
Maybe Seaham ran out of steam but in the last ten minutes Blyth suddenly exploded into life, running in three of the best tries seen at Plessey Road this season. First, right wing Richard Gates was involved in a move which saw him run diagonally to outpace two defenders and score in the left hand corner. Then second row Steven Long was twice involved in a nine man move that culminated in him scoring between the posts. This was immediately replicated by another dazzling handling movement which saw back row Barry Harnett cross the line with Sutherland converting for a final 45-0 score line.
Photo: Barry Harnett in action before his try
SATURDAY 5TH. JANUARY 2008
Blyth 62 South Tyneside College 0
Photo: Jon. Smith launches another attack on the South Tyneside line
Playing for the first time since December 8th, Blyth moved into third place as they comprehensively demolished their South Tyneside opponents. Although South Tyne fielded a weakened team it was nevertheless an impressive display from the home side as, showing no signs of rust, they chalked up their fifth consecutive league win. Despite recent torrential rain, the pitch was in fine condition, a tribute to the hard work of the ground committee under Jim Bell.
In the first half Blyth took the initiative from the start, dominating possession to such an extent that South Tyneside found it difficult to get out of their own half. With several team changes and not having played for a month Blyth took a little time to settle into any kind of rhythm but then started scoring tries with some regularity. By half time the tally was five tries with fly half Graeme Sutherland adding 2 conversions and a penalty. With a 32-0 lead, Blyth might have eased off after the break but to their credit they kept their foot on the pedal, running in a further six tries by which time South Tyneside were a sorry looking outfit.
The secret of Blyth’s success was their outstanding teamwork and their ability to do the simple things well. Although a couple of tries were solo efforts, by far the majority involved several players in the build up. The tries came from left wing Andrew Dunn (3), right wing Callum Bradwell, full back Lee Baxter, centre Scott Robinson, hooker Martin Stephenson, prop Lee Dunwoodie, second row David Baxter, scrum half James Bostock and back row Jonathon Smith.
Photo: Scott Robinson wrong foots his marker to set up another Blyth try
Coach Joe Miller, while full of praise for Blyth, was quick to point out that after an uncertain start they were now in the promotion race and with the season at the half way stage, the really hard work was still to come.
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