Saturday 29th. March 2008
Hartlepool Athletic 0 Blyth 29
With their league programme in abeyance due to the resignations from the league of Seghill and Richmond, Blyth arranged a first team friendly away to fellow division 3 members Hartlepool Athletic.
Having already beaten Athletic twice in the league this performance was by far the most convincing as Blyth mastered the rain and slippery underfoot conditions giving their hosts a lesson in basic rugby skills.
Playing with the rain at their backs, Blyth took time to settle and their tackling looked suspect but once on top they dominated proceedings. The visitors’ forwards had an excellent afternoon, driving the opposing pack round the park, and it was no accident that all four tries were scored by forwards. 
On top in scrummaging, mauling and rucking, at least holding their own at line outs, and well lead by skipper and number 8 Steve Henderson, they gave one of their best displays of the season.
Together with Henderson, scrum half Barry Smith and fly half Graeme Sutherland combined to orchestrate operations with flair and intelligence while full back Jason Smith, safe under the high ball, and putting in some incisive runs, had his best 1st XV game so far.
A try after 15 minutes by second row Steven Long was set up by winger David Herron. He chased a kick ahead, caught and dispossessed the Hartlepool full-back and after added pressure from the pack Long was forced over the line.
This set the visitors on their way and a brace of penalties from Sutherland brought them a deserved 11-0 lead at the break.
Photo: Hartlepool found progress difficult in the face of determined Blyth tackling
Despite now playing into the driving rain and against the strong wind Blyth continued to dominate, Although an eleven point margin had seemed too small in these conditions an early try from wing forward Barry Harnett increased the lead to 16-0. and put Blyth in the driving seat.
Quick thinking by scrum half Smith then put Harnett through for his second. Minutes later by taking a quick tap penalty the same player fed wing forward Wayne Davie who dived across the line.
Between these two tries Sutherland kicked his third penalty to extend Blyth’s lead to 29-0 at the close.
Blyth’s coach Joe Miller said he was thrilled to bits with the performance particularly as a number of players had been unavailable for various reasons.
Next Sat. April 5th Blyth have another friendly at home to first division Ponteland. K.O.3pm.
Photo: the pack were Blyth's second half heroes constantly driving into the wind and denying the home side the ball
Saturday 15th. March 2008
Bishop Auckland 26 Blyth 12
In recent seasons, games between Blyth and Bishop Auckland have been dour uncompromising affairs with little to choose between the sides and this proved no exception.
Despite heavy overnight rain the New Mills pitch was in excellent condition: the surface soft and with plenty of grass. Blyth playing into a sharp breeze were caught napping when Bishop Auckland took an early lead through second row Matthew Fitch, with fly half Dave Gibson converting for a 7-0 lead. Blyth quickly reacted and after a dreadful sliced clearance from the home full back, centre Liam Heslop pounced to score with fly half Graeme Sutherland converting to bring the scores level at seven each, Within two minutes of coming on as a replacement, Bishop’s centre Mike Halliday broke through three tackles before touching down to put the home side ahead 12-7. Blyth were more than holding their own, and it came as a surprise when right winger Callum Bradwell, with little space in which to work, rode one tackle and handed off another to level the score 12-12 at half time.
Having played well in the first half and now with the wind behind them, one expected Blyth to take the game to Bishops but the reverse happened. Playing in fits and starts the visitors seemed unable to get going and their attacks were sporadic and ineffective while Bishop’s pack matched Blyth’s for solidarity. Play was fragmented and deteriorated as a spectacle but there was no doubt who held the whip hand. An early try from second row Fitch put Blyth on the back foot and they were on the defence for long periods.
The match as a contest was sealed 12 minutes from the time when winger Andy Parker touched down, Gibson converting both second half tries. Although Blyth introduced fresh legs, using all three subs it made little difference and Bishops were well worth their win.
With only two league games remaining Blyth have slipped to fifth place which, after they enjoyed a good run in mid-season, is a little disappointing.
Saturday 1st. March 2008
Blyth 42 Chester le Street 5
Despite an ever growing injury list, in their demolition of Chester le Street, Blyth gave one of their most satisfying displays of the season. There was an imagination and variety about the home side’s performance coupled with some shrewd kicking from scrum half Barry Smith and fly half Graeme Sutherland that kept Chester le Street on the back foot for most of the game.
Facing a fierce wind in the opening half, Blyth quickly took control and points came at regular intervals. A sustained attack along the right touchline allowed the very promising right winger Callum Bradwell to touch down. Another lad with a good future, Liam Heslop then finished off a good passing move with a try in the left hand corner to put Blyth 10-0 ahead. Skipper and hooker, Kevin Barratt then got into the act with a close range try before a clever kick ahead from scrum half Smith put in speedy full back Lee Baxter to bring Blyth’s tally at half time to 20-0.
Photo: Liam Heslop gets stuck into the Chester-le-Street backs with a sound tackle
At the start of the second half Chester prompted by fly half Scott Milne took the game to Blyth. This eventually paid off with a try from winger Ian Oliphant who dropped on a loose ball over the try line when two Blyth players looked to be the closer. If a ‘wake up’ call was needed, that was it as Blyth took control of the game, outplaying the visitors in the final 25 minutes. The Chester front row resorted to some confrontational tactics but Blyth dealt maturely with this situation without incurring the wrath of referee Mike Barker. A brilliantly executed try by Blyth knocked the stuffing out of Chester and virtually ended the match as a contest. A short line out throw to number 8 Wayne Davie; who made ground at great pace before returning the ball to Barratt who touched down. Another picture try followed and some intricate handling led to Bradwell who had already been involved in the build up, having the honour of finishing it.
Photo: Lee Baxter and Barry Harnett demonstrate Blyth's speed to the breakdown in support of Liam Heslop
Coach Joe Miller gave all the replacements a run out with Bruce Ledger replacing Mack Morris at prop, Chris Hogg replacing Heslop at centre and second row Steve Long was replaced by Bill Routledge. Points continued to accumulate with another try from Baxter before Barratt, spinning on the proverbial sixpence and shaking off two opponents, completed his hat trick. Barry Smith who had by now assumed kicking duties added the conversion which thanks to the unpredictable wind conditions was the first and only one of the afternoon.
After the match coach Miller was full of praise for Blyth’s performance, adding that they had the nucleus of a very good side provided they stuck together and continued to train regularly.
Blyth’s next first team fixture is not until March 15th when they travel to Bishop Auckland K.O. 3pm.
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