The silky skills of Craig Swales, a second half replacement at full back, was another bonus as yet another West junior made it through to senior rugby in heart-warming fashion! Chocky Davies also managed a half, looking in good shape, with Paul Rudd back to his hard running best after losing a few pounds courtesy of the novo virus!
He scored the first West try, just four minutes into the second half, coming in on a diagonal run following a breakdown which had seen Thorn and Jonny Boatman power up the right wing.
Brett Cullinane got the next one finishing off a couple of forward drives after Rovers were harassed into two penalties for offside in their own 22.
Then Swales came on and, with his first touch, sent in Colin Cheslin at the corner - but play was brought back for a forward pass.
The youngster then took a great looping pass from Moss to go through a gap in the Rovers middle. He raced round two challengers only to be caught three metres from he line but presented the ball perfectly for Peter Hodgson to follow up and dive over. Moss converted all three tries.
That was all in the second half. In the first Rovers had looked the stronger. Stewart Grazier led a fine charge into the West 22 only for Andrew Lilley to knock on.
Then Steve Jones looked to be through but a fine tackle by Andrew Hare, at full back for West, stopped him and Peter Hodgson was first in support to clear the danger. Andrew Lilley was the next to show with a fine break up the wing. He kicked ahead, but was stopped in his tracks by a late tackle from Jonny Boatman and West survived.
Lilley was in action at the other end as he dived on a shrewd kick through from Paul Moss as a posse of West backs raced for the touchdown.
Rovers continued to have the best of the territory and finally got their only reward on 35 minutes. Fly half Adie Rose took a simple three points after Jonny Boatman was penalised for playing the ball when he was off his feet.
But once again they'd tired themselves out knocking on the door of West's defence which lastt conceded a try on December 1st.
West: Hare, Thorn, Hodgson, Neil Howe, C Cheslin, Moss, Tighe, Carr (c), A Dixon, Norris, T Dixon, Garside, D Boatman, Tones, J Boatman. Subs used: Rudd, Cullinane, , Swales
Rovers: B Foreman, Lilley, Kirton, Rutherford, Jones (c), Rose, G Foreman, Tucker, J Cushlow, G Wise, D Smith, A Pinchen, S Hall, Nick Howe, Grazier. Subs used: Sainty, Shires, Barnfield, I Pinchen.
Referee: Steve Havery (Durham Society)
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Author: MikeyBoy
Date: 14-01-08 09:09
decent competitive encounter. The way the match started it looked like it would be a classic but then it seem to fizzle out for the rest of the first half.
I know I'll probably get criticised for this but I thought the refereeing of the rucks was very poor. At some breakdowns the whistle seemed to be hyper-sensitive and then at others it was a free for all. It affected both sides as it was impossible to work out what the players could get away with and what they couldn't.
Tones is in great form and our first choice back row at the moment is definately the boatmans and henry.
Rover's main problem seems to be their lineout. If you take this match and boxing day, they probably only won about 50% of their own throw. You're always going to struggle when that's happening. Also, somebody should tell Jonesy that shouting "time, time, time" to people is not really helpful when they haven't got much time and end up having to rush their kick!
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Author: West Park Allotment
Date: 14-01-08 10:32
Fair appraisal. Both sides made too many simple errors to make it an exciting game but it was competitive and a good work out.
Quite agree about the comments about young Swales. I am constantly amazed how we seem to be able to bring in yong lads who impress. Credit to our coaches at every level.
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