On the road again

Another trip away for the U13’s this time to Blaydon saw the lads back to winning ways. A heavy down pour on Saturday night did concern the coaching staff after last week’s disappointing playing conditions and the big pitch did have a few waterlogged areas but was more than playable.
A great turnout of parents from both sides witnessed a fast flowing game with Mowden scoring within the first three minutes by Rory Anderson in his new position of centre. The lads were up against a big pack that did dominate the scrum in the early part of the game but quick movement from scrum half Matthew “Chappy” Chapman allowed the backs to use the width of the pitch and let "Wheezy" Anderson score another try after great running through the Blaydon defence, eventually scoring a hat-trick before retiring to the oxygen tent.
A lack of concentration and discipline allowed Blaydon to score a great forward led try with amazing handling at close quarters. Mowden had chance of scoring straight away but not playing as a team led to their downfall close to the Blaydon try line.
After an encouraging team talk from the coaches at half time the guys came out all guns blazing and kept the ball away from the big forwards. It was great to see Fergus Hewitson back in a blue and white jersey and he once again never failed to impress by scoring with his strong style of running.
Max Pepper playing at his now preferred position of full back managed to cut through the Blaydon defence, brushing off would be tacklers on his way to score twice with his last under the posts.
Only two of the tries were converted, one each by Callum Robertson and Charlie Pearson.
With all the travelling team playing a part in the game the final score came from the most unselfish play of the game, with George Spink, one of our most senior and experienced players committing his opposite man close to the Blaydon try line and offloading a perfectly weighted pass to newcomer Joe Lerner to break through the last tackler to score his first of hopefully many tries for the team, he celebrated by nominating his Mum to wash the kit!
Once again a great turn out from the squad but missing a few key players through injury and other commitments just shows our ever increasing strength in depth making the coach’s job of selection increasingly difficult.
Training on Tuesday will allow the team to polish out some of the areas needed to work on before our next game away to Percy Park but overall a great display of running rugby from the team.
Many thanks to Blaydon for their warm hospitality.