Hull spoil Blaydon’s all-weather pitch party

BLAYDON HULL 24 26

THERE was a carnival atmosphere at the Crow Trees ground yesterday with the Mayor of Gateshead Councillor Jill Green plus representatives from the RFU in attendance for the official launch of the new all-weather pitch.

But the party was spoiled by the efforts of a very determined Hull side and Blaydon had to be content with a couple of bonus points.

Hull took an early two-try lead only to trail narrowly at the interval but then shocked the home side with another two tries and remained in control until the end.

It never looked like being Blaydon’s day and their 100% record disappeared under the weight of too many penalties conceded and too many passes going to ground.

Hull scrum-half Harvey Harding nipped in to score the opener after considerable pressure on the Blaydon line which had resulted in a yellow card for Darren Fearn. Simon Humberstone failed to convert but was on target when Hull hooker Mike Jobling touched down from another short scrum.

Blaydon finally got going on the half-hour and from a second tap penalty in the 22 Nathan Bailey crossed with Jamie Guy adding the points. Then with the interval beckoning Jack Appleton was held up short and Fearn was on hand to crash over.

Despite having had just two meaningful attacks, Blaydon were 14-12 up at the break but there was to be a dramatic turnaround early in the second half. Dan Marshall broke from defence at speed to release Appleton who twisted and turned his way to the line but somehow the ball went down, Hull hacked on and winger Mike Adlard went in unopposed at the other end.

Barely had the dust settled when their centre, Alex Heard, went over unopposed down the other wing and with two conversions, it had now become 14-26.

Blaydon picked up the pace for Bailey to squeeze over for try number three and Appleton secured the bonus point after a tremendous break by Harry Borthwick but significantly neither effort was converted and the game was gone.

JOHN BRENNAN