Consett started the first half kicking into a strong cold wind, and were largely held in their own half by a strong Blyth team. The visitors were very quick on the break and their impressive No 12, A. Sutherland seemed at times too big to stop. Blyth were first onto the score board with a penalty after 8 minutes from Sutherland, quickly followed by a try from their Prop N. Fraser. Consett battled hard to stay in touch with Blyth and were rewarded with a penalty of their own, from the reliable boot of N. Cook. This was quickly followed by a great Try from their right wing T. Clay and Conversion from Cook. Blyth seemed to be stung into action by this and helped by Lewis Mcqueen being sin-binned for illegal use of the boot, they scored another Try before half time from D. Langdown to end the half in control at 10 – 20.

Consett’s team coach David Trott must have given a very inspirational talk at half time, as the team leapt out of the blocks to score a Try in the opening minutes again from their wing T. Clay. He nearly got his hat-trick minutes later after bursting through a tackle and grounding the ball in the corner, only for it to be denied for a knock on, however Consett were on a roll and Blyth didn’t seem to be able to stop them. The forwards seemed to win every scrum and ruck and the backs appeared to be able to break through the tackles at will. The next score for Consett was a great ‘forwards Try’ and a reward to the scorer Tight Head Prop, D. Loughran for putting his head and hands through the ruck onto a ball which was already over the try line meaning no offside line. 20-20 as Cook missed both wide conversions.

Consett continued the pressure and N. Cook kicked another penalty before the teams highest Try scorer D. Neist got on the score board with one of his signature Tries. The game was won for Consett at this stage but credit must be given to Blyth for the manner in which they refused to give up. They continued to play an expansive game and as the score moved away from them, they made more and more running moves which made for a very entertaining game. They were rewarded late in the half with another penalty kick this time from their replacement kicker from O. Jarvis. However Consett were not going to let them get anything from the game and kept play in the visitors 22. They ended the game with their fifth and final Try from P. Brown and the conversion from N. Cook.

The final score was a very impressive 37 – 23 win for Consett, and the extra bonus points for scoring more than 4 tries, saw them continue their impressive rise up the table.

Their next home game is against Gosforth on Sat 25th January at Belle Vue.

Scorers:
Tom Clay - 2 Tries
Phillip Brown - 1 Try
Drew Neist - 1 Try
Danny Loughran - 1 Try
Nick Cook - 2 Penalties & 3 Conversions

Report written by George Ledger.