Catleugh Hat Trick Inspires Field to Victory
Cameron Catleugh led the way in yet another comprehensive Falcons victory on Saturday. The leggy full back scored his hat trick before half time in an impressive display of running rugby. First to score however was Ollie Shaw who is rapidly making the 9 shirt his own. A classic scrum half break from the first scrum of the game just inside Blaydon’s half saw him outpace their back row before palming off would be defenders to cross in the first ten minutes.
Catleugh then started his scoring spree. Joe Potter moving the ball with composure at fly half created half a gap for Cameron who cruised through and showed great gas to score from his own half. With good ball from the forwards and confidence oozing through the back line Field now looked to play from anywhere. Potter again pulling the strings to release Catleugh for another gallop up the field and under the posts.
Darren Neilly briefly interrupted the backs performance with a classic five yard try of his own after the forwards did some bludgeoning of the Blaydon pack.
Catleugh scored his hat trick shortly after following some lovely back line interplay between Andy Williams and Elliot Knight. Centre Andy Williams deservedly added to the scoring just before half time, showing real power to break tackles and hand off would be defenders in the five meter channel and going up the touch line to dot down.
Six tries before half time and with Joe Potter kicking six conversions Blaydon were down 42-0.
Half time saw some personnel changes and a series of rolling substitutes. Injuries to the Blaydon side saw the game become a little stop start. Blaydon got a deserved consolation try and conversion after a series of rucks on the Field 22. From the ensuing restart pressure was applied to the Blaydon defence resulting in a scrum to Field. Darren Neilly, now at number eight, picked the ball and with support either side, threw a couple of dummies and swivelled the hips to beat defenders and dot one down.
Andy Williams got a deserved second try shortly after following some more smooth backs interchange.
Joe Potter lost his kicking boots at half time, missing the first conversion and relinquishing kicking duties to Neilly who also missed directly in front of the posts.
With Blaydon losing players due to mounting injuries and the game already gone the ref blew ten minutes early allowing both teams a well earned beer and an opportunity to watch the first team victory on pitch one.
Tries: Shaw, Catleugh x3, Neilly x2, Williams x2
Con: J Potter x6