Darlington Under-13s were grateful to Blaydon for being able to arrange a match at short notice following the cancellation of their match with Bradford and Bingley. In the opening minutes Blaydon caught the visitors a little cold and evaded several halfhearted Darlington tackles. However once they woke up Darlington started to produce some good rugby. Sam Sankey influenced two drives that sucked the Tynesiders backs in allowing easy run-ins for right wing Dexter Bogle to score the opening tries.
Blaydon tried desperately not to let Darlington have it all their own way and it took some strong tackles from Alistair Car who was making his return after fracturing his arm and surprisingly Lewis Morgan Darlington's prop-centre made more in this game than he had all season. Blaydon's attacks however drew in too many of their backs and cover was thin allowing Tom Turner to skilfully break the line and out pace his pursuers to literally dive in under the posts. Mat Lister also added a try and replacement kicker Jack Stapleton converted three from four in the first half to give Darlington a 26-0 lead.
Several substitutions at the start of the half by Darlington and an inspirational team talk from the Blaydon coach combined to allow Blaydon the upper hand. Twice strong Blaydon runs and missed tackles were rewarded with two tries to pull the score back to 10-26. Normal service was resumed when once again good rucking from the likes of Adam Saddler allowed full back Matthew Lister space to pick his line and run in to score to take his tally for the match to three, Dexter Bogle matching this performance with his third to end the game Blaydon U13s 10 Darlington U13s 44. A sound performance ahead of next week's tour to Scotland.
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