Saturday Nov 8th 2008
Blyth 15 Seaton Carew 18
Despite the grim weather forecast, this eagerly awaited clash between the two top sides was played in near perfect conditions. That Blyth lost their 100% league record was no disgrace as Seaton looked a very good side and has been steamrollering their opposition this season by big margins.
The opening exchanges looked ominous for Blyth with the visitors handling the ball well and putting together some fast direct attacks. Within 8 minutes they were ahead through a try by number eight Murray Stockdale, Blyth being let down by their tackling not for the last time during the afternoon. On the quarter hour Blyth fly half Graeme Sutherland kicked a long distance penalty to cut the lead to 3-5. Seaton Carew increased the pace and added to their lead with a try from fly half Jason Norman, but Blyth got their own act together and mounted a series of attacks which had Seaton hanging on. They finally got their reward when a curving run by full back Steve Hall took him across the line. A difficult conversion, beautifully executed by Sutherland, levelled the score, and 10-10 at the interval was just about right for what was developing into a fascinating game.
Scott Robinson who had twisted an ankle was replaced at centre by Gary Sinton after the break. Blyth came under heavy pressure for the first 20 minutes of the second half despite the visitors loosing both second rows to injury, but they defended well. A penalty from full back Craig Moffat put Seaton in front but when they paused for breath, Blyth hit them hard. Ryan Davison and Kevin Barratt had joined the Blyth pack and it was number eight Davison who got the all important touch down. As the game entered its final stages with Blyth leading 15-13 Seaton showed their mettle with a sustained attack on their left wing which Blyth parried on their five metre line until Stockdale was adjudged to have grounded the ball. Blyth disputed the try which resulted in a yellow card and a reduction to 14 men: an unfortunate outcome, not that it affected the result. Seaton Carew just about deserved to win, but both teams could take pride in having served up a fiercely contested but fair match.
Saturday November 15th 2008
Seaham 5 Blyth 52
This was not as one-sided a game as the scoreline might suggest, with Seaham making Blyth work hard for their win before falling apart in the final quarter. The Blyth forwards had a productive afternoon winning plenty of ball with the backs making excellent use of it. With a stiff wind behind them, it took Blyth 15 minutes of frenetic but fragmented attacking play before they settled down and opened the score.
It was full back Steve Hall who touched down with fly half Graeme Sutherland converting for a 7-0 lead. Seaham countered with a series of fierce attacks down their left flank with hooker Andy Baxter finally scoring in the corner. In the second quarter of the game Blyth played with an accuracy and purpose missing before with Sutherland playing a bigger than usual role. It was Sutherland who added to Blyth’s lead with an excellent try which he converted himself. A scything run from centre Andy Barker, whose pace terrified the Seaham defence, put Sutherland in for his second try, which he again converted himself for a 21-5 lead. Full back Hall, who made several damaging runs, was across the line to give Blyth a 26-5 margin at the end of the interval.
Now playing against the wind Blyth had to defend for several minutes before right wing Dean Langdown made a try for wing forward Stefan Krzysiak to stretch the gap to 31-5. Blyth brought on Kev Barratt for Martin Stephenson at hooker as they set about dismembering the home side who were beginning to loose their shape. An excellent handling move was finished by Barker with Sutherland converting for 38-5. The hard working Langdown was rewarded with a well deserved try with Sutherland obliging for a 45-5 lead. Callum Bradwell replaced Chris Grey on the wing and Seaham had a player sent off which did not help their cause. Blyth’s final score came as the game died out with a push-over try from Number 8 Ryan Davison.
Seaham fought well with Baxter and fly half Gary Burdess setting an example, but in the end were out classed in every department tackling, which in Blyth still needs some improvement. Skipper Tony Smithson said, “It was just what we needed after loosing our 100% record last week, and puts us in second place with a game in hand. A bonus was the return of Gregg Dawson at centre after missing almost a year with injury.”
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