One more first to add to this impressive season. A day of even numbers, a running sequence of 14 games, 8 tries scored and 54 points on the board. Our first league win in the North East played on the first ever league game for Cambridge over the Easter weekend. Add travel by train and that makes for a unique team experience all round.

There were forced changes to the side as injuries once again are beginning to accumulate. No Luke Fielden, Handre Schmidt, Rob Hurrell or Mike Guess available, a trio of first choice experienced players. No mean opponents either as Blaydon had proved one year earlier, crushing Cambridge with extra pace and purpose. A banana skin in the making perhaps was at the back of everyone's minds. But the omens were not all bad. Sunshine and Andrew Vertigan's presence as referee guaranteed a game of non stop flowing rugby. And so it was to be. 200 dispersed spectators treated to a feast of 12 tries in all, only 12 penalties within the 50 set pieces awarded in total. End to end entertainment once two awkward packs of forwards packed down in relative harmony. Cambridge now move to second place in the table still with one game in hand on Redruth. The chase is on!

Without being too technical about the Cambridge strategy, Blaydon were faced from the outset with marauding forwards emerging everywhere. The forming and reforming of pods has become a strength and major reason why our attacks in very short time, weaken defences. Just 4 minutes into the game and a flow left, found Ben Cooper our young prop, with space to break and pass to Dan Legge for the first try. Ben Patston kicked from a difficult angle into a cross wind. This strike and all the others found the gap between the posts, the one exception hitting woodwork and falling away. Fourteen more points to Ben's boot. More tries seemed certain but Blaydon had other ideas. They gained possession, camped inside the Cambridge 22 metre line and dominated the set pieces. From a succession of three scrums on the 5 metre line by the right hand corner flag, the referee had no alternative but to award Blaydon a penalty try. The position reversed more or less immediately as Cambridge then pressed the Blaydon line winning the penalty try for a different scrummage infringement. Exchange is no robbery. Back in front and the first period of domination began. Three tries run in before half time, with Blaydon yellow carded and down to 14 men. Adam Barnard there on hand with pace to finish a decisive midfield break created by fellow centre Craig Evans. A second try for Dan Legge, once again a forward out on the wing and scoring with a leap just inside the corner flag. On the 40th minute James Shanahan cut through for the third try. Many other Cambridge players were producing their match of the season, none more so than Simon Lincoln and Matt Miles, robbing the opposition of good ball and making effective darts through the narrow gaps. Tom Powell can be credited with the longest break of the day that didnt result in a score. The lineouts apart, few turnover balls were conceded and many more metres run by half time than in recent matches.

Half time Blaydon 7 Cambridge 35.

In pursuit of the one promotion spot, Cambridge were not closing on leaders Bees but at least keeping them in sight for the remaining three and a half games. Back to the immediate task, to keep the score well in our favour. And so we did as a second yellow card against the home side made them once again vulnerable The next try was my favourite, created and completed by two unsung heroes. "Shandy" Lincoln pulled off a great steal from a Blaydon player, reversed the play and began a counterattack. Laurence White, on as a replacement for the injured Powell, was on hand in support, took his pass on the right and cut in to finish between the posts. Ben just kept on kicking cleanly down the middle, any and every angle, wind to the side or even in front. A safe margin but then Blaydon began to find rhythm in their feet. Blind side flanker Peter Browne, perhaps conscious that his opposite number "Leggy" was on fire, scored a good try for the underdogs. Cambridge may have relaxed a little as replacements were on and settling in. But at a time of modest need, one Cambridge player decided to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Wing Commander Lombaard sensed easy opportunities to add to his 13 tries of the season. Our interceptor bomber gave an exhibition, a fly past, on how to make a lot of a little. Two lengthy runs alongside the left hand touchline as first he intercepted then second robbed a Blaydon prop of the ball. Applied strength, a hand off and pace enough to prevent the covering defence narrowing the gap. Our quiet man made his point. Actions do indeed speak louder than words.

With the game drawing to a close, Blaydon had every reason to chase a 4 try bonus point. That they achieved from tries by wing Brendan Daniel and open side Scott Riddell. Something salvaged from the game and deserved. Blaydon are good hosts and Newcastle a city that offers much that makes for a memorable weekend. Stick on in there Jim.

Full time Blaydon 24 Cambridge 54

Onwards to our fifteenth game since the last defeat. Blackheath this time, sitting deceptively mid table but always capable of humiliating the complacent. The best pack in the league, on its day, will start where they left off in Cambridge. They will relish the task of preventing us recording our first ever win at The Rectory Field. Still it is good to have new challenges and our remaining 3 matches are just that. Another "first" win at Stourbridge is the next unclimbed peak, followed by a first ever visit to Bees in Solihull. All three venues are within easy travelling distance. Hopefully I will see many regular faces there and some new ones. Invite your friends, join Dave our bass baritone, vocal as usual yesterday. Support the travelling Cambridge all blacks and their singular male voice choir.

Mal Schofield (tired but content)

Photos. In my absence Stephen Cooper kindly agreed to be Photographer for the day;  they will be available on the website after the long weekend. Chris Fell