BLAYDON CLINCH PREM II.

Blaydon (I) vs Plymouth

In a game where a win for Blaydon would confirm the womens first team as champions of National Premiership II, the home team got off to a poor start. For the first 15 minutes, Plymouth were aggressive in attack and used the slope of the pitch to good effect, kicking over the Blaydon defence down the hill. Blaydon failed to react quickly enough to support the Full-back, adding to the pressure their opposition were applying. The resulting two tries were successfully converted.

Blaydon benefited from a handling error at the restart, putting them deep into the Plymouth half. From here they were able to take the initiative and applied some pressure of their own, resulting in Centre Catherine Arden scoring Blaydons first try. This seemed to settle the home team somewhat and a try from Suzi Newton followed before half time.

In the second half, a fantastic interception by captain Natalie Badcock resulted in a scrum to Blaydon 5 metres out. The Blaydon Scrum had been convincing from the outset and took the opportunity to drive the visitors back over the try line, enabling Ros Stainer-Smith to score between the posts, the conversion attempt rebounding off the upright. It was Stainer-Smith for the next try too, wrestling the ball free in a maul to break through and score. This time the conversion was successful.

The second half was riddled with stoppages for injuries on both sides, including a knee injury for Scottish international Fly-half Newton who had to leave the field and a shoulder injury to one of the Plymouth Locks, which caused the game to be moved to an adjacent pitch, negating the advantage of the slope which Blaydon had. However, with confidence within the home team growing the visitors were unable to add to their own score. Doris Ta’ala on the flank added a further try for Blaydon which was converted by Gemma Smith before the final whistle.

Final score Blaydon win 29-14.

Team: V. Rivett, R. Hayes, S. Fitzpatrick, E. Jones, S. Lazenby, R. O'Connor, D. Ta’ala, N. Badcock (capt), R. Scott, S. Newton, R. Stainer-Smith, C. Arden, G. Smith, K. Lynn, P. Westerguaard, subs: N. Gair, H. Greenwell, K. Hall, Coach: R. Thompson

Next game: Quarter final of National Cup competition at Blaydon on Sunday 2nd April against Wasps (I). Kick off 2:30pm