Blaydon notch first away win

Nov 20 2011 by Simon Armstrong, Sunday Sun

HAVING got rid of ‘the monkey on their backs’ with last week’s return to winning ways, Blaydon were again up against lowly opposition, and another improved show brought them their first away win of the season.

The home side made the better start but Blaydon, in their first attack, ran it from one end to the other for a fine try. Winger Sheldon made 60 metres into the 22 to set up a ruck, the forwards took it on, and Sheldon popped up again to finish it off.

Stourbridge fly-half Woodrow put over a couple of penalties, but Baggett responded with a long-distance effort before Blaydon struck again with a second try. Jones pinched a Stourbridge line-out ball to storm over and Baggett added the conversion to make it 6-15.

Blaydon were in complete control and Clark skated past four defenders to score for Baggett to convert.

A third Woodrow penalty just before the break completed the Stourbridge scoring and Blaydon looked like carrying on where they had left off in the second period. Endless pressure brought no reward, however, and Stourbridge had their best spell of the game.

Blaydon held firm, even with 14 men, and replacement centre Catterick added a bonus point-winning fourth try near the end. They turned over Stourbridge ball at a ruck for Baggett to emulate Sheldon’s effort with a 60 metre break for Catterick to cross and Baggett to convert.