OCTOBER MATCH REPORTS
Saturday 4th. October
Blyth 13 Bishop Auckland 8
The prelude to this top of the table clash was overshadowed by the news that Blyth’s selected full back, popular veteran Steve Hall, was in intensive care at Wansbeck General following a suspected viral attack. Fortunately he is out of immediate danger and all at the club wish him a speedy recovery.
Matches between Blyth and Bishops, both unbeaten, have tended to be dour uncompromising affairs with forward play the main theme and this proved no exception. Bishop?fs had the benefit of a moderate breeze in the first half but as the packs battled it out in midfield they spurned the opportunity of attacking Blyth with damaging kicks into the corners of the home team?fs half. It was 26 minutes before a score was registered, this coming from the boot of fly half Graeme Sutherland via a penalty to get Blyth a 3-0 lead. Within five minutes Bishop?fs were level through a penalty from their fly half Dave Gibson.
The second half was played almost entirely in Bishop’s half with the visitors rarely crossing the half way line. Another Sutherland penalty had given Blyth a slender 6-3 lead, but though the Blyth forwards were in full cry Bishops put up a heroic defence mostly within their own ‘22’. Maybe the ball could have been shipped to the Blyth backs more often, but they were not having the best of luck with their handling. Stefan Krzysiak at No. 8 was replaced by Steve Long and Andy Barker came on for Barry Smith at centre, while Bishops also brought on two subs. The pivotal moment came midway through the half when a Sutherland kick was followed up by winger Chris Grey who harried his opponent into loosing the ball, allowing full back Jason Smith to power through for the try. Sutherland’s conversion stretched Blyth’s lead to 13-3. Bishops became more adventurous throwing everything into the attack and in the last minute used an overlap to score in the corner through winger Andy Parkin. With Gibson’s missed conversion the last move of the match, Blyth were home 13-8.
The game was well referred by Huntingdon based exchange ref. Chris Rowan who did very well considering that he was given the match at very short notice. Blyth coach Joe Miller was pleased with the performance saying that players “Stood up and were counted when it mattered, keeping their shape and discipline.” This win leaves Blyth and Seaton Carew sharing top spot with 100% records. Man of the match was Stefan Krzysiak. - Photographs of the game in the Photo Gallery.
Saturday 18th. October
EDF Junior Vase Round 3
West Leeds 24 Blyth 8
Blyth made their exit from the national knockout competition beaten by a fit and well drilled West Leeds side, and there could be no argument about the result. The Yorkshire division 3 team, probably a division above Blyth in class, got off to a cracking start with a try from centre Sam Neave with fellow centre Rob Smith converting. The 3 hour coach journey seemed to be affecting Blyth who were off pace in the first 20 minutes and only some good covering by the backs prevented a further score. Blyth, cheered on by a good following of supporters, mounted a counter attack which resulted in a penalty from fly half Graeme Sutherland cutting the lead to 7-3. Blyth were still under the cosh and two further tries from right wing Keir Breakwell and left wing Owen Birkby saw Blyth 17-3 adrift at the interval.
The second half was more evenly contested with Blyth giving a much better account of themselves. After 25 minutes of cut and thrust, it was West Leeds who increased their score against the run of play, through wing forward Dan Bird with full back Campbell Breakwell converting. At 24-3 it looked like curtains for Blyth despite their playing some good rugby, but they were determined to fight to the end and go down with honour. They were rewarded when scrum half and skipper Tony Smithson, sniping around the 5 metre line, darted through a gap to score. Despite going close twice more it was too late, but honour was preserved as Blyth went down 24-8. Blyth used all their substitutes, but could not quite gain momentum enough to rattle a good Leeds side – however one was left wondering what might have happened had Blyth enjoyed the luck of a home tie.
Man of the Match v West Leeds Chris Grey
RFU.com 
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