West End RFC

West End 15 – 22 Blaydon Bricks

A tough and disappointing day for West end losing out to a much changed Blaydon side.

It all started with big hits by both teams comparing early who had better forwards and backs than each other, Blaydon Bricks showed the same approach as they did from the first leg once again using the 10-12 switch, and kicking over the top of the pack. West End were then pushed back hard which led to a good try from Blaydon.

The West End pack proved again that lineouts are the best thing they have in their game, alongside scrums and mauls, by driving forward with the forwards and backs combining to make ground, also kicking over the Blaydon pack which worked well. Then some persistent infringing, in the eyes of the match official, from none other than Chris Hosking in rucks could have led to a yellow, making sure that the referee had something to deal with when an angry Blaydon back met up once again with the friendly face of the forward. The first half came to a draw with Blaydon bricks leading 5-0.

The second half started with a score as Blaydon dropped the ball close to an actively running Pritchard who kicked the ball off the floor then kicked it again off the floor for the ball to then bounce up for him to pick up and dive for under the posts with his hand in the air with his bright yellow base layer shinning away in the sunlight, what a player. The try was converted by Wilcox making it 7-5 to the home side. An opportunity for a try came from Blaydon by using the available space to peel off the back of a maul and dot down, a missed conversion then making it 7-10.

An opportunity for points came with a penalty from Wilcox who kicked the ball through the posts to level the scores. The forwards had to contend with a hard battle in the scrums with Blaydon pushing the pack back very well deep into the 22. The West End pack got rearranged with Dean Henderson coming off injured after a dominant scrum from Blaydon and Michael Pritchard having to come on from the side lines. Deano remember the 3 pound fine for Michael for being late.

Then another try came from Blaydon from a silly mistake by West End giving Blaydon a 10-15 advantage. From there Craig Allmond who had a brilliant game filling in at scrum half took the ball for a jog then passed it to Harvey Thompson who ran like a bullet past many Blaydon players to score in the corner which levelled the score line up as the conversion was not taken. Fatigue setting in, West End were camped in their own 22 by Blaydon who with the last play of the match broke over the line and scored to take the points at 15-22.

A hard day for the home side who put their heart and soul into every minute of the game, but can take the fact that they have levelled up 1 win 1 loss against a well organised and experienced Blaydon team who had some quality players. With Tony Kay deciding to swan off during the season to Manchester (priorities), opportunity arose for vice-captain Mike Marra (just back from a 3-week absence) to lead the team valiantly.

Tries: Ewan Pritchard (1), Thompson (1)

Conv: Wilcox (1)

Penalty: Wilcox (1)

Starting line up