Enjoying an unbeaten run since the beginning of the season CANDY League table toppers the Raiders looked to get the bragging rights on local derby day off to a flying start. Having beaten first teams from Percy Park, Ponteland, Medicals and Durham University and all comers from the league playing against the second string from Blaydon away from home was never going to be easy.
In bright weather Tynedale kicked off with the wind against a Blaydon side with a predictably large but youthful pack. The impressive Raiders back row of Grant Beasley, Chris Hall and Jonny Cousin immediately looked to unsettle both opposition forwards and backs and provide 'go forward' ball for the their backs to capitalize on. The first try scored by the excellent Hall from good support play and well timed passing as quick ball was used to good effect. With the conversion missed the next two scores came from Blaydon both of which were avoidable from the Raiders perspective but both coming from individually strong runs from Blaydon forwards with the second including the extras making the score 12-5 to the opposition just before half time. Being the natural born competitors it did not really surprise anyone that the well taken try from full back Jonny Mock brought the score back to 12-10 at half time.
In general the Raiders backs looked much more threatening throughout but marshaled by scrum half Simon Allan and fly half Rhys Evans unsettled their opposition regularly in the early part of the second using the regular if not dominant supply of ball. The lineout began to function well, the tight scrums produced ball but rarely dominated but the Raiders forwards competed well with their mainly larger counterparts
To give him a break from the pressures of recent pressures of first team rugby teenager Ashley Smith had been drafted into have a run at outside centre and perhaps put a little smile back on his face. Having had an unspectacular first half particularly with the 'boot' his influence on proceedings grew steadily utilizing the steady supply of ball. The Raiders nudged ahead 15-12 after a well taken try by the excellent winger James Rastall who latched on to a gem of a cut out pass from Smith. Blaydon then pegged the score back to 15-15 with a penalty. The Raiders came back with a try from Smith himself which in truth may have had a hint of crossing about it but certainly the Raiders would not contest the referee's adjudication!
At 20 -15 and with a little daylight playing good patterns it may have reasonable to expect the Raiders to keep their noses in front. Blaydon were in mood to lie down and launched a number of good attacks themselves and in competing for the ball the Raiders gave away too penalties, gratefully converted to make the score going in the last five minutes 20 - 21 to Blaydon. Having got the ball up the field but staring the final whistle in the face it was once again Smith who scored an excellent individual try mesmerizing some sizeable forwards before out sprinting the defence to score the match winning try and converting it himself. The final score 27-21. On Halloween Smith turned out to be the arch wizard with a smile on his face.
Spirit was the theme for the Raiders before the game and this was conjured up in hat fulls which will be needed over the next two away games at Wharfedale and last years league winners West Hartlepool..