Durham & Northumberland Div 3

Blyth 17
Whitby Maroons 12

The Maroons travelled away for the longest trip on the opening day of the new season under new captaincy of Joe Quinn. The team was as strong as it could of been with several key players just unable to play because of work commitments and injuries. The home side have had an influx of key players from other local clubs and under guidance from the All Black legend now at Newcastle Falcons Carl Hayman they were the better team on the day.

The home side started and finished better but were nearly on the recieving end of an up set as the Maroons were fought back . Blyth raced to an 8-0 lead afer a penalty and a try out wide and were nearly more down as the dosey fullback ran through to score virtually unopposed but placed the ball down short and the referee awarded a scrum to Whitby, Very funny moment. The Maroons hit back as strong running by Pindar got the visitors a penalty. But the Straker penalty was put very wide.

The home side managed to score another try before half time through the backs as a couple of missed tackles let them through. 13-0 HT. After a good half time team talk the Maroons fired up and pressured the home team with Steve Allens booming kicks and direct running from Straker pushed them back. A flowing move created space for Pindar to touch down in the corner. Steve Allen taking over the kicking duties landed the massive conversion just short. But landed the next one from the same place, converting a Mick Latus try. This put Whitby on the front foot as scoreline reflected the tightness of the match 13-12.

Both teams battled in the middle of the back for long periods but a little inexperience in placement by the whitby winger let the ball bounce from a kick into space which made the whole team turn around. Mick Latus and Phil stentiford tackled well to stop any momentum. But Whitby switched off at a lineout as it was taken quickly and Blyth extended their lead in the dying minutes when the centre went through to score.

A good performance by all and everyone battled on, it was a good game of rugby with the physical side showing through. Alittle more fitness and some fine tuning it will be a good season. The firts causalty of the season is prop Shane Young with an ankle injury.

Whitby Gazette Man of the Match - Dave Straker
Match Sponsor - The Hart Inn at Sandsend