This was our first match of 2023, and also the first time we’d played on an artificial pitch. It was fantastic conditions for rugby, a crisp blue-sky January morning, and we started brightly with the light wind behind us and some good early passage of plays. Mackenzie, Benji, Luca, George and Jake put in some sharp tackles, there was solid rucking by Freddie and Owen, Deacon and Samuel driving forward, support play by Alfie and Thomas, passing by Thomas and swift running by James, Cameron and Liam.

However, Blaydon quickly got the upper hand with some early tries and able conversions, and we fell back off the pace, with Blaydon edging the scrums taking them to a 36-0 lead at half time.

Sime half-time coaching and encouragement, and Bishop were quickly out of the blocks, with a good ball out from Jake to Cameron, who was just stopped short of the try-line, only for Liam to nip in and get our first try of 2023, which he was unlucky to convert. Blaydon again came back, stepped up their game, running in and kicking further points to take the score to 5-69, before we rallied with 5 minutes to go, Logan and Danny in the mix, closing down and pressing to prevent further scoring.

So a disappointing start to the year, the lack of match practice told and it was an unfamiliar surface with a few ‘burns’; Blaydon already had a game under their belt for the year. That said, their coach was full of praise for our ‘great bunch of lads’.

Thanks to Blaydon for hosting us, everyone who made the trip, arranged lifts and supported the team!

We. Go. Again!