Rugby Union: Caldy 5, Tynedale 35

Sep 17 2007 by Andrew Stratton, Liverpool Daily Post

THE POWER and experience of Tynedale proved too much for Caldy as they suffered their first defeat in National Three North.

It was by no means a poor performance by the Wirral club, who were lacking key players. But they simply could not command enough good possession and had to play second fiddle to the disciplined Northumberland outfit for much of the time.

Tynedale had an excellent pack and comfortably overcame the loss of influential back-row man Jamie Murray early in the second quarter.

Rob Miller proved a master tactician at fly-half for the winners and Phil Belgian a more than useful centre.

Belgian kicked an early penalty and added the conversion to a 32nd minute try by Rob McDermot, who ran round the home cover from a long pass to go behind the posts.

A Belgian penalty from 24 metres made it 13-0 at the interval.

Caldy were given hope when Matt Lamming went on the blind side of a scrum for a corner touchdown in the 45th minute, but then Tynedale took command.

Belgian crossed after strong forward pressure in the 54th minute and followed up the goal with a penalty from halfway on the hour.

Ben Marshall was next to go in after more good forward work before Miller spreadeagled the Caldy defence with an excellent run in from 40 metres.

The two conversions by Belgian stretched the advantage and Tynedale, who just missed out on promotion last season, now have three wins to their credit.

Caldy, who lost John Bentham at half-time with an eye injury, have no reason to feel downhearted and can still do well in the division if they can steer clear of injuries.