Blaydon Bricks 25 - 26 West End
An inspirational show of heart by West End today beating blaydon by a narrow 1 point margin.
It all started with Blaydon showing skill by with calls and passes which caught West End out more than once in the game, which gave Blaydon 3 tries in the first half. The first period was very scrappy with a few players exchanging words and handbags but they showed their character throughout the first half to keep the deficit low.
From there the forwards and backs combined making alot of phases to help them get close to the try line, but the experience from Blaydon showed as they were too good and took the ball away every time. A number of exchanged kicks followed which gave both teams possession when Jamie Shilling made an amazing break through with the forward pack to score another try this season. After that Blaydon were frustrated which lead to some infringung and two consecutive yellow cards were given shortly before the half time break.
A big attack came from the home side but West End players gave everything they had to stop them after a number of phases.
The second half came along where Ian Grayson gave a good team talk to send the lads back out and play well. This worked as straight from the offing Michael Pritchard took the ball and ran with a fellow forward to make some yards. From there West End played out of their skin and took the match to the next level with amazing scrums and lineouts. With just half an hour left to play West End took a lineout then made an inspirational drive from 45 metres (yes it was 45 metres) to score the best forward try this season, truly amazing from the pack with Jacob Foy scoring the try.
This then gave Blaydon a run for their money, a cross field kick in the Blaydon 22 led to a huge bounce where Jacob Foy took the ball from the air and ran in to score an easy try. Some would say luck but it was just the sheer awareness of play from Jacob.
Another try was unfortunately held up from another great drive from the forward pack where Dean Henderson did place the ball down according to sources but the referee was having none of it. This didn't phase the West End pack when Jacob Foy peeled off another drive and dived for the posts to score another try in the game. West End were on the breakthrough to coming back with team spirit and heart.
The game got a little out of hand with Chris Hoskins getting a yellow card at the breakdown for taking out a scrum half early. Shortly after another Blaydon player got a yellow card. From there the ball was played a little more out to the left where Ewan Pritchard capitalised with his chances to make a few metres up the pitch. A piece of foul play came where Pritchard got the ball and ran for the try line, but he was just about to score a great try when all of a sudden a forward ran out of nowhere and shoulder barged him out of the pitch, very silly decision for him as he got a yellow card and West End got a penalty try to win the game. Ewan was fine and sustained only a few minor injuries but is okay to play, West End really need him they wouldn't know what to do without him and his tries.
An amazing display of heart from the lads throughout the afternoon. With no time left on the clock another Blaydon took a drop goal which appeared to miss in every one else's eyes apart from the referee the goal was given. The game finished with a point separating the sides, an inspirational game of rugby shown and a great forwards game once again from the pack.
Tries: Jacob Foy 2, Jamie Shilling, Penalty try
Conversions: Marty McHugh 3
