Blyth 31- 3 Prudhoe and Stocksfield

P&S continued their season with a tough trip to Blyth, hoping to take the positive aspects from the recent weeks displays and produce a complete 80-minute performance. The visitors welcomed back Joe Hughes, slotting in at 12 and Alex Fitton and David Rodgers resumed their second-row partnership.

Losing the toss P&S played with the wind in the first half and it was evident how Blyth were going to tackle the conditions. Strong forward runners were matched by a determined P&S defence, with the majority of play sandwiched between both 10 metre lines. After a series of forward drives, Blyth utilised a 2 on 1 up the blindside leaving Jonathon Dodds the impossible task of preventing the first try of the day. 7-0

Heads did not drop in the P&S side, and again firm defence alongside feverish back row play from Yannick Debil, Robert Reid and Gerry Robinson prevented Blyth from gaining the ascendancy. The task was made harder when Chris Patterson was shown a yellow card after a team warning for multiple penalties. However, during this period, which saw the versatile Joe Hughes move to 9, P&S’ hard work was rewarded with three points from the boot of Steven Henderson. 7-3

The rest of the first half was scrappy with both sides guilty of breakdown offences, resulting in a game that lacked rhythm and structure. Unfortunately, P&S couldn’t force their way over the try line after a sustained period of pressure, lacking the required composure when it was most needed and Blyth then extended their lead before half time with the home sides quick 14 jinking his way to score under the posts. 14-3.

The second half started brightly for P&S with Dan Whiley and particularly Luke Masters showing great footwork and speed to make inroads into the Blyth defence. However, an interception only 1 metre from P&S’ line stopped the visitors from gaining any momentum as Blyth extended their lead to 19-3.

Knowing that the game was slipping away, P&S started to play an attacking style of rugby, increasing the tempo from quick tap penalties and throwing caution to the wind as they advanced up the pitch and into the opponents 22. Just as space seemed to be opening up out wide, a loose pass was scooped up by Blyth and they raced in from all of 80 metres to score under the posts. 26-3.

P&S struggled to come back from the demoralising blow that try had landed with Blyth having the last say as they scored their 5th and final try with 1-minute left on the clock. 31-3.

Another frustrating day for P&S, who gave their opponents three of the 5 tries scored with sloppy play that could have been avoidable. Having said that, the team can be proud about the way they fronted up against a heavy pack and the much-improved defensive performance.

Many thanks to Blyth for today’s game and good luck for the rest of the season. As for P&S, today ended a tough run of games having played three of the top four in succession. The remaining games are against teams in a similar position in the league giving P&S a real chance of ending the season on a positive note.