Middlesbrough were welcomed to Crow Trees, on the outskirts of the northern Metropolis of Newcastle upon Tyne. The weather in Blaydon was grey and overcast with a light drizzle. However, being an artificial pitch it was unlikely the weather was going to prevent todays game going ahead.
Boro kicked off and immediately put Blaydon under pressure. Superb dancing down the line from Pete Homan produced recycled ball. A further surge led to Ollie crossing the whitewash to put Boro ahead. Aedan Moloney converted.
A powerful counterattack from Blaydon put them on the Middlesbrough 5 yard line but tenacious defence earned Middlesbrough a penalty under their own posts and Boro cleared their lines. However, the relief was brief and after a period of continuous pressure from Blaydon, their winger scored near the corner. The conversion from wide out was missed and the score was 5-7.
In the conditions, Boro countered the repeated box kick tactic of Bladen, resulting in a penalty which Jack Jeffers delightfully spiralled into the Blaydon 22. Another great rumble from Josh Lynas produced recycled ball. Jack McPhillips created a huge gap to surge through, but the intricate move in the centres broke down as Blaydon wrestled the ball clear, but only as far as the 22 yard line. The Middlesbrough pressure continued and some incredible back-and-forth play from Middlesbrough ultimately resulted in a chip through from Aedan Moloney, who sprinted past the Blaydon defence to touch the ball down with the tip of his fingers.Moloney converts 5-14.
A collapsed scrummage provided Bladen a penalty on the Boro 22. They opted for the quick tap and go and a couple of phases later and Blaydon forwards got the better of the Boro pack to drive over on that left corner again. This time, the conversion was superbly kicked. Score 12–14.
The Boro discipline around the ruck (not rolling away), the offside line and a couple of high tackles led to few consecutive penalties in a row ultimately resulted in a drive over try for Bladen. They take the lead for the first time in the game but the conversion, from exactly the same place as the last, was missed. Score 17–14.
The tide in the game seemed to have swung Blaydon’s way. Under immense pressure, Middlesbrough earned a penalty on their goal line and managed to kick clear. However, Blaydon pressure continued. Winning a huge penalty Jackling over Toby Blaydon once again kicked for the side line. They won the resultant line out and the Blaydon six bundled over for a try to the right of the posts. An important bonus point try for Blaydon and the conversion put Blaydon ahead 24-14.
The game become very open and iccredibly loose. Interception. Counter attack. Back-and-forth. Both teams giving away yards, but then surging up the field only to turn over possession once again. Eventually, Josh Lynas cleaned things up with a big surge through the middle. He popped the ball to Matthew Marsay, who is up ended by no arms tackle. Jeffers kicked into the middle of the 22. Boro won the line out, but the beast of a prop who is playing number six for Bladen rips the ball to reclaim for the hosts. However, an infringement took play back for a penalty right in front of the posts. Aedan landed the kick and at half time it was a one score game. A very entertaining first half.
Blaydon had a couple of simple tactics. One, the box kick. The other is give it to their huge number six who is wreaking havoc. Middlesbrough played very well. But they needed to bash a lot more with Ball in hand.
HT 24-17
As the second-half kicked off, the skies opened and the rest of the game was played in cold, heavy rain.
The second half started at the first one ended, with Boro being penalised inside their 22. A scrummage under the posts however earned the Boro a penalty and manage to clear their lines. Middlesbrough earned another penalty just inside the 22 to release the pressure further.
The conditions were very challenging and a good up and under from Blaydon led to a bit of a fumble behind the Middlesbrough goal line giving Blaydon a scrum 5 yards out. After working the ball wide a nice pirouette from the Bladen number eight produced another try in the corner. The very tricky conversion was scored. 31-17.
Returning the favour, a big Garryowen from Middlesbrough produced a knock on from Blaydon. Swiftly followed by a penalty for Middlesbrough who were starting to pressure Blaydon. Another penalty for Middlesbrough who opted for the scrum. A sign of the deteriorating conditions perhaps. Boro decided the time was right to make some changes. Steve Jones came on for Shay Barritt, who was soon to return as a replacement for Matthew Marsay who had to leave with a bloody nose. Shay into the fullback position.
Middlesbrough won a penalty for boring in at the scrum. This was shortly followed by great battling play from Middlesbrough that won another penalty. Steve Jones kicks into 22 and a huge drive for the corner by Middlesbrough culminated with a surge over the line which is deemed to be held up by the referee. Boro had started to dictate the play. Beautiful hands on the back line, especially given the conditions, couldn’t be maintained and a flowing move is thwarted by a knock on near the goal line. Eventually, Boro’s pressure was rewarded with a drive over try in the right hand corner. Maloney just misses the conversion. Score 31–22.
Middlesbrough pushed and fought really hard and moving the ball to the left, Aedan latched onto a chip over and raced across the line for a hugely important bonus point try. He nailed the conversion and Boro were within a score at 31-29.
Incredible character from Middlesbrough. They continues to push into the Blaydon 22 and maintained the pressure in the Blaydon half for the rest of the game. A chance to clear their lines with a penalty line out on the halfway mark Blaydon fluffed the throw in. The line collapsing and Middlesbrough win the scrum. A short time later, another chance to clear the lines but a big charge down by Steve Jones kept the pressure on. It is soaking wet but very tense as the closing stages of this game approached. The Blaydon coach was losing his mind, shouting for his team to put the ball into the Boro half, but Middlesbrough, keep the pressure on. Ultimately, however, Blaydon hung on to record a very important win for them.
Full-time. Blaydon 31. Middlesbrough 29.
What a game. What an incredible show of character from Middlesbrough.
Jabba
(Thank you, Ross Webber, for your superb report)
Next week 6th December Boro are at Home to Cleckheaton KO 2pm Acklam Park
In the other Saturday game the Middlesbrough A Team hosted Guisborough.
In wet and windy conditions throughout the game Boro won, seemingly comfortably, at 33 – 0. However, the weather conditions probably played a part in the direction of play as the 5-0 half time score indicated a closer game.
