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Collecting the restart, Richmond had to work a little harder this time, through a couple of phases before getting the ball out wide again to the backs and running clever angles at pace to score again. They had however revealed a vulnerability; the strength of Blaydon Team Northumbria forwards had disrupted the breakdown to make ball retention difficult for the visitors, the potential for turning over possession was there to be competed for.
Prompt tackling from Blaydon prevented the ball getting out to the speedy backs and pressure in the ruck forced an error, bringing the first scrum. This revealed another strength of the home team, solid, well co-ordinated scrummaging. As with most of the scrums of the game, possession remained with the attacking team, providing clean ball for the backs. However, the opposition was quickly able to close down the attack from Blaydon and launch an unstoppable counter-attack to score again.
Blaydon Team Northumbria is not a team to give up. A quick re-appraisal of their options lead to a revision of the game plan. If loose ball in the backs was to lead to quick tries being scored against them, then the forwards would retain possession and make slower progress up the pitch. This strategy served them better, stemming the Richmond attack. However the demands of this weigh heavily on the forwards, requiring patience and good discipline. Losses of concentration and the temptation to revert to using the space in the backs resulted in the home team being punished by the ball being turned over in the back-line, frequently resulting in a score.
Other than clever interceptions from the Richmond backs, the game improved from the Northerners perspective in the second half. The attacking and recycling style suited the forwards and they were making substantial inroads into opposition territory. The pressure being asserted was taking effect; after several warnings from the referee to Richmond regarding offside approaches to the breakdown, the tight head prop was sin-binned. Determined, well disciplined attacking from Blaydon resulted in centre Catherine Arden going over to score shortly afterwards. With first and second choice kickers for Blaydon having left the pitch earlier through injury, Captain Victoria Rivett stepping in was unfortunately unable to add the conversion.
Blaydon Team Northumbria always knew their step up to the top division was to be a steep learning curve and were left to take the positives out of the game and learn from the outstanding attacking display from Richmond.
Final score: Blaydon Team Northumbria 5 Richmond 119
Darlington vs Blaydon Team Northumbria 2nds 16/10/2006
Blaydons second team travelled to Darlington for their fixture, one that they had comfortably won last year, however, this year the Darlington team this year was substantially changed. They were well drilled and the forwards always caused the visitors problems, with good play both at set pieces and open play. The game was good experience for several newcomers to the side, including Yolanda Bainbridge who opened her account with two tries. Gemma White who joined Blaydon last year also scored her first try for the club.
Final score: Darlington 39 Blaydon Team Northumbria 15
Next games: 29/10/06 1st XV Away v London Wasps
15/11/06 2nd XV Home v Doncaster |
