Bishop Auckland match reports
Jan
U14's Narrowly Defeated
Bishop Auckland U14s 31 - Blaydon U14s 38
Bishop U14s began the New Year with a tough fixture against Blaydon. On a mild Winter's morning the team lined up as follows:
Forwards Jordie Barkus, George Tindle, Will Bowden, Chris Cruddace, Liam O'Brian, Nathan Mounter, Craig Jackson, Adam Brunskill
Backs Seb Hole, Jack Hamilton, Luke Miller, Ben Curran, Josh Love, Ed Stringer, Bradley Wilson Dando
Subs: Mathew Goundry, Brandon Fieldson, Dom Vasey.
Blaydon turned up with a squad of 23 so a request was made to play 3 periods of 20 minutes, which the Bishop management agreed to. From the start, Blaydon showed their intention to give as much ball as possible to the backs so they could dictate the pace of the game, and the initial game plan worked with some insipid tackling allowing an 80 yard run for the first score of the game going to the visitors. As with previous games this season, Bishop like to give the opposition a head start before they start to play! The home team picked up the pace and the backs began to see some quality ball. The rucks were fiercely contested and the levelling score followed a nifty pick up from Chris Cruddace who made 20 yards before Blaydon infringed off side. The penalty was kicked into the corner. The well worked line out was taken by Nathan Mounter who popped the ball up for Jordie Barkus to power over the line. The Bishop team were now in the ascendency and a sweet cross field kick from Jack Hamilton was superbly followed up by Brunskill who got the luck of the bounce to score in the corner. The difficult conversion was kicked by Hamilton. The backs began to dominate play and another fine Brunskill run and off load to Luke Miller who gallops over from 20 metres, again the conversion was good. This stirred the opposition into life and some heroic defensive tackling from Ben Curran and Bradley Wilson Dando narrowly failed to stop a Blaydon try.
End of the first phase: Bishop 19 - Blaydon 14
The second phase belonged to the Bishop pack. They regularly won the scrum against the head and put immense pressure on the Blaydon front row. Blaydon had the luxury of bringing on several fresh players and the pace of the game suited Blaydon who used the back line well to score in the corner. Bishop then created the best score of the game. The forwards committed just enough players in the ruck to secure quality possession; the effervescent Seb Hole feeds the ball out to the backs, quick passing through 3 pairs of hands and a surging run from Josh Love allows Brunskill to score his second of the game.
Simple, basic, effective rugby.
The period ended with a rather simple try for Blaydon following a lack of concentration and some lack lustre tackling.
End of phase 2: Bishop Auckland 26 - Blaydon 24
With game finely balanced, Blaydon were again able to bring on some fresh players. Bishop had used all three subs following the unfortunate loss of their scrum half. Again the forwards were dominant in the scrum but it was the visitors who edged ahead after a flowing move from the backs was ran in under the posts. The successful conversion sees the score at 26-31.
Although flagging from the fast pace the Bishop team were not finished yet. Surging towards the Blaydon line only resolute defending halts the forwards who win the put in at the resulting scrum. A trademark Brunskill try follows after a pick up from the base and an unstoppable crash ball over the line, score 31 -31!
The final 7 minutes of the game consisted of determined, crunching defence on the part of the whole Bishop team. Desperate to see the game out the teams hearts were broken by relentless Blaydon pressure and the final converted score went the opposition's way.
Full Time: Bishop Auckland 31 - Blaydon 38
The whole team can take a great deal of satisfaction from this game. Although defeated they played with a spirit and commitment which they can carry forward for the rest of the season. Blaydon are a major club in the North East and playing against a squad of 23, over 3 periods which suited the opposition, they should not be disheartened. Passion, bravery and desire were evident in abundance, and a great game to watch as well.
Special mention goes to Connor Witton and Seb Hole - best wishes from all the team and hope your injuries heal quickly and completely.
MOTM Forwards: Jordie Barkus
MOTM Backs: Bradley Wilson Dando
