Blaydon RFC
Blaydon RFC is an English semi-professional rugby union team. The first team currently play in the fourth tier of the English rugby union system (National League 2 North), having been promoted as champions from North Premier at the end of the 2019–20 season. Their home ground is at Crow Trees, Swalwell, Tyne and Wear.
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| Full name | Blaydon Rugby Football Club | |
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| Union | Durham County RFU | |
| Founded | 1888 | |
| Location | Swalwell, Tyne and Wear, England | |
| Ground(s) | Crow Trees (Capacity: 2,000 (400 seated)) | |
| Chairman | Chris Nunn (C.O.R.) | |
| Coach(es) | Keith Laughlin (Head Coach), Jason Smithson, Sam Stuart, Jim Houghton, Lee Hogarth | |
| League(s) | North Premier | |
| 2019−20 | Champions (promoted to 2021–22 National League 2 North) | |
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| Official website | ||
| www | ||
First team
The Blaydon first team are presently the joint third highest placed league team in the North East (behind Premiership side, Newcastle Falcons, National League 1 club Darlington Mowden Park R.F.C. and alongside National League 2 North Tynedale RFC). Due to Blaydon's close proximity to the Falcons, many of the Falcon's academy players are given playing experience at Blaydon.
Current standings
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| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Points | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hull | 30 | 27 | 0 | 3 | 906 | 402 | 504 | 21 | 2 | 132 | ||||||
| 2 | Sedgley Park | 29 | 24 | 1 | 4 | 1060 | 431 | 629 | 21 | 4 | 123 | ||||||
| 3 | Rotherham Titans | 29 | 23 | 2 | 4 | 919 | 536 | 383 | 18 | 3 | 118 | ||||||
| 4 | Stourbridge | 29 | 21 | 0 | 8 | 1036 | 766 | 270 | 23 | 3 | 110 | ||||||
| 5 | Fylde | 30 | 21 | 1 | 8 | 1049 | 638 | 399 | 19 | 3 | 108 | ||||||
| 6 | Hull Ionians | 30 | 18 | 2 | 10 | 856 | 650 | 206 | 14 | 6 | 96 | ||||||
| 7 | Tynedale | 30 | 13 | 1 | 16 | 732 | 881 | −149 | 16 | 5 | 75 | ||||||
| 8 | Luctonians | 30 | 14 | 0 | 16 | 608 | 529 | 79 | 8 | 9 | 74 | ||||||
| 9 | Sheffield Tigers | 29 | 13 | 0 | 16 | 632 | 708 | −76 | 7 | 6 | 65 | ||||||
| 10 | Loughborough Students | 30 | 10 | 0 | 20 | 702 | 843 | −141 | 13 | 10 | 63 | ||||||
| 11 | Chester | 30 | 12 | 1 | 17 | 645 | 803 | −158 | 9 | 3 | 62 | ||||||
| 12 | Wharfedale | 30 | 11 | 1 | 18 | 625 | 823 | −198 | 9 | 5 | 60 | ||||||
| 13 | Bournville | 29 | 8 | 1 | 20 | 717 | 986 | −269 | 11 | 6 | 51 | ||||||
| 14 | Blaydon | 30 | 7 | 0 | 23 | 599 | 1057 | −458 | 11 | 4 | 43 | ||||||
| 15 | Huddersfield | 29 | 7 | 0 | 22 | 494 | 831 | −337 | 7 | 6 | 41 | ||||||
| 16 | Harrogate (R) | 30 | 3 | 0 | 27 | 402 | 1098 | −696 | 4 | 3 | 19 | ||||||
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| Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 30 April 2022 Source: "National League 2 North". NCA Rugby. | |||||||||||||||||
Youth rugby
Blaydon run various youth teams, ranging from under-7 to under-19.
Best results
- Under-19 (2008): National semi-final [v Harrogate, 16 March, Crow Trees]
- Under-17 (2009–10): National Plate semi-final [v Sheffield, 23 March, Crow Trees]
- Under-17 (2013–14): National Shield winners (v Dartfordians, 4 May, AJ Bell Stadium)
Honours
- Durham Senior Cup winners (5): 1996, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013
- North East 1 champions: 1994–95
- North 1 v Midlands 1 promotion play-off winner: 2000–01
- National League 3 North champions: 2006–07
- North Premier champions: 2019−20
International players
Mark Wilson (rugby union)- Michael Skinner (rugby union)
- Steve Bainbridge
- Trevor Davison (rugby union)
Selwyn St. Bernard
Matthew Cook
Notable former players
- Andrew Baggett – fly-half who became the all-time National League 1 points scorer with over 1,700 points, the majority whilst playing for Blaydon. He also represented Yorkshire and Durham and was part of the Yorkshire side that won the 2008 Bill Beamont Cup.[1]