Blaydon so close to win

Mar 6 2011 Sunday Sun

HAVING almost ended Barking’s unbeaten record in the October away fixture – losing 21-20 – Blaydon again came within a whisker of a famous win, disappointingly running out of steam in the closing stages.

The start could hardly have been any worse, however.

They were caught cold in the second minute following a searing burst of speed by prop Aaron Liffchak to set up a try for winger David Vincent.

Eleven minutes later Blaydon loose-head David Williams stormed over half-way just as impressively to set up the move from which Simon Barber jinked through to score.

Ed Yarnton and ex-Blaydon favourite Adam Armstrong added a penalty to their conversions.

By the interval Williams had stretched over to score from a ruck and Jason Smithson had added a third try when a scrum was won against the head, and Blaydon were in the ascendancy at 17-10.

At the start of the second period it was business as usual in the Barking 22, but chances went begging.

Blaydon’s only reward was a penalty from replacement Matt Mellish, and the action gradually switched to the other end.

Armstrong was on target with two more penalties to take it to 20-16 and hooker Tom Cobb salvaged the Barking record with a late try.