U16s - Second Place in the Blaydon Race

Another glorious, apart form the grey skies and rain clouds, day for rugby and an opportunity for a new look line up to make an impression. The opposition meant a journey up the A1 to Tyneside and a flick through the recent history books reminded the faithful that the last encounter against the boys from Blaydon had been a tight affair in the cup last season

A day to remember Claire Crompton and both sets of players lined up to observe a minutes silence, well respected also by all those present in the stand and on pitch side. The thoughts of all of us are with Keith and Alex and our small section of the Mowden Family will always be there for you.

The referees whistle on the next occassion signalled the commencement of play and with the wind and rain to contend with, in addition to the opposition, the boys from MP might have been forgiven for feeling that they were in for a long spell of defence. From the outset however they played a really good game, right across the park. The forwards were competing and demonstrating endeavour in trying to make the hard yards, whilst the backs were also making their tackles whilst still attempting to pass the ball along the line. There was some committed, if sometimes last ditch tackling throughout the team, both inside and outside their own twenty two and on more than one occasion the visitors were either prevented from breaking the defensive line or when they did Aiden was in their way. Unfortunately the scorers sheet was being reasonably regularly marked in the home sides column and with only five minutes of the half remaining the hosts were 28 to the good. However in a great team effort in the last five minutes, man of the match Alex W found the ball with 15 metres to go and through a combination of some side stepping that Len Goodman would have been proud of and a large slice of determination he found the line. Unfortunately Danny Wi couldn't add the extras so 28 - 5 at oranges.

The second half was played out in much the same way as the first half. The more direct approach from previous weeks had been exchanged for the utilisation of the full fifteen, with the backs taking an increasingly active role as an attacking unit. However the visitors had taken another couple of opportunities for breakaway scores and also started to use the power in their pack to set up effective rolling mauls from their line-out ball. An away score was still on the cards and when Aiden picked up the ball just outside his own try line it looked like he might run the full length of the pitch for the score, unfortunately he was caught by two of the home team, but he had still made some great yards. This summed up the day, great effort, but just not enough.

A performance from the boys that was full of vim and vigour was unfortunately just not quite enough, well done Blaydon.

Motm - Alex W, like a lion pulling down its prey!