Wharfedale 13 Blaydon 27

BLAYDON were worthy winners in this important battle in the National League One relegation struggle.

The result puts added pressure on the Greens as they prepare to visit rock-bottom Cinderford on Saturday for a match they desperately need to win.

Wharfedale started brightly and forced a line-out ten metres from the Blaydon line. They secured possession but Blaydon held the drive and cleared their lines.

Wharfedale had the edge in the scrums, but their line-out was still a source of problems as Blaydon built a decisive first-half lead.

They turned their excursions into the home 22 into points whereas Wharfedale were unable to string sufficient phases together to break a resolute defence.

When the ball was spread wide there was a sense of panic in the play and long slow passes were not the answer.

Two Newcastle Falcons loanees figured prominently for Blaydon. Brett Connon, opened the visitors' account with two penalties and Will Witty ran a great line to break an otherwise strong Wharfedale defence to score the first try. Connon added the extras to give his side a 13-point lead.

Wharfedale got back into the game with a splendid catch and drive from just outside Blaydon’s 22. Chris Howick was awarded the touch down. Jamie Guy just missed from the tee.

Connon added another penalty after 31 minutes to which Guy responded three minutes later. Blaydon ended the first half with a Jason Smithson try when he broke from a rolling maul to crash over. Cannon failed with the conversion.

Dale started the second half strongly. They won the ball against the head and moved the ball right on halfway. The backs swept forward, and when they were held the forwards kept the momentum going. Dan Tai then collected a superb cross kick from Guy to score.

Wharfedale attempted to build pressure but were let down by handling errors.

Connon slotted another penalty before Wharfedale had a strong passage of play. Will Bell put in a delicate chip ahead and then hacked on past the defence. Rhodri Adamson escaped with only a yellow card when he cynically took Bell out.

Ten frustrating minutes followed as Wharfedale failed to add to their tally. In a reverse situation last week against Esher, Wharfedale surrendered 22 points.

It was Connon who finished the scoring with another well-taken penalty bringing his total for the match to 17.

The man of the match award went to Witty although two other Falcons players Callum Chick and Connon were strong contenders.

The fourth Newcastle player in the starting line up was Zach Kibirige. He was up against the only dual registered Yorkshire Carnegie player in the Wharfedale starting line up, Dan Tai, and the two players were a good match.

Disappointed Wharfedale coach Tom McGee was in reflective mood afterwards. He said: “This was a game where we felt we could lift the speed, move the ball and catch Blaydon on the outer channels.

"However the urgency in defence, movement of the ball in our attack and game awareness where there were consistent opportunities to be positive, wasn't where it needed to be.

"Although we competed well in the scrum against a good team, we struggled to impose any periods of quick, precise sequences of attack or field position which played into Blaydon’s hands.

"The whole group, coaches included, need to reflect critically and honestly, look forward positively with clear direction and collective buy in to how we can improve our game to get the best out of ourselves, win these first halves and turning performances into wins”.

There were good individual performances at times. Phil Woodhead made promising breaks and there were strong runs from Ollie Fewtrell, Matt van Sertima and Huw Morgan. Too often the player was not supported or the attack was halted by a flamboyant pass that went astray.

The forwards also strove manfully and put in an immense amount of work. Before the game the aficionados were talking about the Blaydon pack and how it was one of the strongest units in the division. If this was the case the tight five were magnificent in their domination of the scrum.

It was a pity that this level of power, skill and concentration was not translated to points elsewhere on the pitch.

Wharfedale Labasse; Fewtrell (Guy 68), Sertima, Morgan, Tai; Guy (Bell 52), Woodhead; Steel (Wade 56), Graham (Poole 52), Cano (Beesley 73), Hedgley, Willet (Howick 17), Powell, Burridge, Baldwin.