Winlaton Vulcans RFC

WINLATON VULCANS 2nd XV verses BLAYDON DEVELOPMENT 2nd XV

The home side kicked off facing a strong breeze and Blaydon made a nightmare start by knocking on and then giving away a penalty but Fleming missed a fairly easy kick. Blaydon recovered and started to use their young three quarter line to spread the ball wide but with scoring opportunities opening up they were unable to hold the final pass as Winlaton were putting up a stout defence. After this the Vulcans got more into the game with the more ‘mature’ forwards driving through with Curry and Ross McGrath leading the charge and being marshalled by McLeod who made several good breaks . This continued with Winlaton gaining the upper hand and they were rewarded on 18 minutes Blaydon transgressed in front of their posts and Fleming converted the penalty.[3pts] This seemed to galvanise Blaydon and they put the home side under pressure. They spun the ball wide and the winger seemed destined to go over the line but Dan Walker made a try saving tackle. On 23 mins the pressure paid off and Blaydon converted an easy penalty.[3pts.] Again The visitors continued with a barrage of attacks and only good defence by the Vulcans with David Scott and Tom Dowland prominent kept them at bay. With four minutes of the half left Winlaton cracked to give Blaydon the interval lead when after a series of forward drives they forced their way over[5pts] and the conversion followed..

Half Time 3 - 10

Winlaton made the best start of the second half, with the inclusion of’Big ‘ Stevie Harrison as a substitute to add a bit extra weight, the forwards took the game to Blaydon. Driving forward again with Curry showing up in almost every move as well as gaining good clean ball in the lineout. Driving towards the visitors line we had a rare sight of Andy Moore popping up in the centre and offloading the pass behind his back. Prompted by Mcleod the ball was being fed to runners all over the park and great inroads were made into the Blaydon half.

On 10mins and as a result of the pressure Winlaton were awarded a series of penalties on their opponents 10metre and after a number of tap penalty moves and further penalties Harrison forced his way over[5pts] which was not converted. Blaydon made a immediate riposte and after their attack broke down they were awarded an easy penalty on12mins [3pts]. Winlaton came back again full of purpose and on 15mins with Harrison taking a leaf out of Andy Moore’s book by appearing in the centre position, taking on the defence an overlap was created and the ball was moved wide to Tom Dowland to score in the corner[5pts] with the difficult conversion from the touchline going over.Winlaton kept the pressue on but for all their endeavour and effort tries were not forthcoming. On 35 mins after never being out of their own half a speculative kick ahead by Blaydon was not secured and they went over to score[5pts+2pts] with the conversion to give them a narrow lead. On full time with Winlaton pressing on the halfway line the ball was lost and again Blaydon ran unopposed to score[5pts] the conversion failed.
Full Time 15 - 25

Man of the Match Steve Mcleod.

Comment As in previous weeks it was again a case of Déjà Vie with Winlaton deserving a victory and being denied despite having large amounts of possession and play and the final score not reflecting the course of the game.