Friday night saw the return fixture between these two old adversaries, unfortunately for both sides the date clashed with Christmas parties and works outings, and both sides had numerous cry offs and unavailability’s. The pleasing thing for Blyth, the Bucks managed to gather enough for a side with subs and also loan 3 players to the Ravens, which made for a well balance even game. Several Blyth players made their season debut, including, club President Dave Grey, Ian Howard, Gary Sinton, and after a gap of 8 seasons Dennis Wilson pulled on his boots. Several players turned up and took turns to play for the Ravens Simon Yeo, Dave Jefferson along with prop Ian Atkinson who strengthened the visitors scrum and had a good match around the park.
Blyth started the first half against a reasonably strong wind, and were under some pressure from the lively visitors, despite a good supply of ball the Bucks could not kick to clear their lines as the wind proved too strong, and instead had to drive the ball up field, Tom Brooks the giant second row was brought into play several times to carry the ball out of danger. The Ravens quick backs were a constant threat, along with their hard working back row, and the Buccaneers were stretched at times, it was only committed tackling that preserved the try line from the visitors. The even first half finally came to life when a flowing back move, saw home full back Dave Charlton, enter the line and round the Ravens defence to score the half’s only try.
Turning around for the second half with only a 5 nil lead, Blyth had the advantage of the wind, and tactical kicking saw field position near the Ravens line, from the resulting scrum, Scott Robinson darted over to score. Further pressure led to Dave Hall scoring in the corner for Blyth. The visitors were not to be out done so easily and hit back straight away to cut through the Blyth defence, and despite a good cover tackle from Andy Jackson, the ball was made available for a try. Blyth forced play back to the Ravens line and from the resulting throw, Blyth back row forward Mick Cobley scooped up the ball to dive over and score. Again however the visitors won good ball and using their pace rounded the home defence to score a try wide out.
By this stage in the game, the Blyth Veterans had lost a couple of players with injuries and the play became a little disjointed, however, a series of scrums close to the Ravens line, saw Blyth number 8 Mel Cole, twice drive over the line, only to be buried beneath a load of players and with out the advantage of a TMO, the referee, Greg Dawson could not award a score, the final scrum in the series however, saw the ball moved quickly out to centre Gary Sinton who powered over between the posts, to round off the scoring. The Ravens won ball one last time and tried to breach the home defence only for the ball to drift out to touch from an up field punt, to end the game.
Mention must be made of two new players who turned up to play for Blyth, John Greenwood who helped out the Ravens for a half and Jeff Green who played a part the Blyth second row
The Buccaneers have no more games until 2016, thanks to all those who have turned out, fixtures are being discussed for the coming months old limbs and brittle bones permitting.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.