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It was clear West were going to be in for a tough afternoon from the outset as the hosts seemed intent on avenging their last minute defeat at Brinkburn earlier in the season. They started like a train and were a score up before West had really touched the ball. Davy Tighe caught the opening kick off and kicked to touch and from the resulting line out Aspatria rumbled into the 22 before the flanker peeled off the maul and was stopped inches short. He managed to pop the ball up to his supporting runner and the try was scored. Mike Scott added the conversion leaving West somewhat shocked.
The blistering start wasn't to end there, West struggled to get hold of any possession and frustration began to set in with few penalty decisions going against them. Scott had a shot at goal drift wide and hit the post with a drop goal before finally adding three points with a simple penalty.
West had already lost Andrew Hare to an early injury and just prior to the Scott penalty Neil Howe was dismissed for his role in a mass brawl on halfway. It had been a fractious start and tempers eventually boiled over when Gav Painter was taken out with a very late tackle. Howe retaliated and all of a sudden almost every player was involved. When order was finally restored the referee sin-binned the Aspatria winger for his initial late challenge but red carded Howe for his retaliation.
West finally managed to make some inroads whilst both sides were down to 14 and some good running from Jon Boatman took play inside the 22. A penalty was awarded in a very kickable position but skipper Anth Carr opted for a scrum, a decision West would regret when the move was ended with a forward pass.
As the half drew on Asptaria began to regain the ascendency and the half time whistle couldn't come soon enough for Tim Sawyer's men as their frustrations grew with the increasing penalty count. They held out until the break without conceding further points and whilst it had been one of the toughest halves West had faced all season, the game was far from over.
Sawyer's half time words obviously had the right effect as the attitude shown at the start of the second half was much better. West got on the attack straight away and when Rob Thorn was given some space on the wing he took his chance, adding another try to his impressive season tally. Moss failed with the wide conversion.
It was just the start West needed but as the half wore on try as they might there was no way through the Aspatria defence. The work rate couldn't be faulted but the fired up home side were not about to give up any soft scores. West dominated the scrum, rocking the home eight back time after time but some excellent work at the base prevented West gaining much advantage from the shove.
When a rare second half visit into the West 22 brought Aspatria a penalty chance Scott made no mistake and nudged his side further in-front. West battled on to the end with Painter and Tom Dixon both stopped inches short in the dying minutes but it wasn't to be their day.
It was a valiant second half effort but having gone down two scores so early in the game and with a man disadvantage it was always going to be a huge ask to get back in the game. Despite the defeat West should not be too discouraged, especially given the way they battled in the second half in difficult circumstances. This defeat, whilst a blow, hardly ends the promotion challenge – West are still in a commanding position and will have a chance to bounce straight back next week at home to Pontefract.
West: Painter, Hare (A Cheslin), Hodgson, Howe, Thorn, Moss, Tighe, Carr, A Dixon, Robinson, T Dixon, Davies (Rudd), D Boatman, Tones, J Boatman
Try: Thorn
Related Links:
Teams for Jan 19th
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Author: mossy`s dad
Date: 20-01-08 15:33
I think the lads can hold their heads up after this match , it seemed they played as well as they could under the circumstances, the sucker punch of the early try knocked the momentum for quite awhile but as per usual the team regrouped and played some excellent rugby in attack and defence , you cannot fault the commitment in this respect , perhaps just a little bit of luck with the last pass west could have scored 2 tries in the 1st half alone, but luck aside the next 3 games i would say are pretty crucial , cos March is a difficult month , but this saturday is a game to bounce back , forget Aspatria although learn from it , forget who beats who in regards to other matches , you can`t rely on other teams , but must concentrate on their own performances , i`m sure they know this.
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Author: Off Side
Date: 20-01-08 16:19
Fully agree with mossy's dad. Apart from the first two minutes, the West defence was excellent throughout, withstanding a lot of early pressure. The strong comeback in the second half deserved more. A lot of positives can be taken from the game.
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Author: MikeyBoy
Date: 20-01-08 16:28
it's a shame the perfect reord has gone but we're still in the driving seat and to go this long in the league before our first loss is quite an acheivement
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Author: West Park Allotment
Date: 21-01-08 11:08
When you are top of the league every team starts like a train against you. We must expect that and we must learn to be keep our discipline.
My spies tell me that Davies was the only one sensible enough to walk away from the bust up which saw Howe sent off. So lessons can be learned.
I also gather that their No 8 was lucky not to get sent off at the same time and on these things hang games.
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Author: El Pedro
Date: 21-01-08 12:32
partially true WPA...
Davies wasn't involved but there were 4 or 5 other players not involved also. all took place on the far touchline from where most of the west fans were so was difficult to see exactly what was going on.
it was always going to be difficult for the ref to sort it out afterwards but whole thing could have been avoided if he'd whistled immediately for the late tackle. there was no advantage coming and if we hadn't played on the fight probably wouldn't have escalated as it did.
anyhow easy to say that in hindsight.
although i agree with WPA that we have to expect teams to start well against us it really was encouraging the way we came out after half time. just before the break we looked in disarray and everyone seemed frustrated with themselves, each other and the ref. sawyer must have done a good job at the break as we held it together better 2nd half despite not getting the points on the board.
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Author: El Pedro
Date: 21-01-08 17:31
programmes were in short supply! and when i did manage to nick DP's there was no team sheet in! :-)
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NEXT FIXTURE
Rochdale
VENUE
Friendly - Away kick off 3.00
DATE
Saturday August 30th
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