Blaydon chief goes on the defensive.

Byline: By NICK PUREWAL

NICK GANDY reckons Blaydon can be a National Two force - when they finally combine attack and defence in equal measure.

Blaydon rugby director Gandy was pleased to oversee his side's sixth league win on Saturday, a 35-22 Crow Trees triumph over Westcombe Park.

But he admitted the victory carried more nerves than expected, thanks to his own team's shoddy defensive work.

Winger Andy Fenby grabbed two tries, two conversions and a penalty to end the day with 17 points, while Will Welch and Adam Dehaty also crossed to secure the bonus-point win.

Richard Windle dropped a goal and nailed a penalty to complete the scoring, but Blaydon conceded four tries themselves, so had to rely on superior kicking for their win.

Gandy said his side will be a serious proposition once they can put both parts of their game together at the same time.

He said: "We did not perform to the standard that we know we're capable of, but we still won and that's the bottom line.

"At times we were excellent, but all of that was in attack.

"Defensively we were poor, and we put ourselves under a lot of pressure in that regard, so that's something we'll definitely be working on.

"Now we have a free weekend which will give a lot of guys a good chance for a rest and, with an A team game against Darlington Mowden Park, some of the fringe players can stake a claim for selection."

Tynedale, meanwhile, could not break Redruth's perfect start to the National Two campaign.

The Cornish juggernaut just keeps on rolling thanks to Saturday's 15-5 win, their 11th straight victory.

The defeat leaves Tynedale sixth in the table, one point ahead of rivals Blaydon.

Tynedale rugby chairman John Shotton said his men acquitted themselves well, but just could not convert a host of chances.

He said: "We knocked on seven times in their 22, and we had two tries disallowed, so it was frustrating all round.

"Overall we're pretty pleased with our start to life in National Two. A win at Redruth would have been a huge boost but we're slightly disappointed with our away form."

Westoe edged out Cleckheaton 16-14 in North One, while Gateshead accounted for Morpeth 28-22 in North Two East.

In DN1, Wallsend stole away 27-20 winners from Gosforth, with Percy Park easing past Ryton 33-10 and Northern seeing off Stockton 34-17.

Medicals slumped 36-19 at Redcar, Team Northumbria hammered North Shields 59-0 and Whitley Bay Rockcliff saw off Winlaton Vulcans 22-10.