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Despite the West forwards winning the battle up-front we couldn't make the advantage tell and allowed Billingham's useful backs to show what they could do with some great tries.
With a big travelling support behind them, well outnumbering the home fans, things started a bit more as the script-writers would have planned. Scoring opportunities were few and far between in the opening 15 minutes.
Billingham missed the first clear scoring chance of the game, a straightforward penalty skewed wide with a little help from the gusting cross-field wind. A kick into he corner from West produced clean line-out ball and after several rumbles toward the line Tom Dixon crashed over for the opening try.
Billingham responded with a try of their own, a smart chip through easily collected by Chris Hyndman for the score with West opting to line-up defensively with no full-back in place and paying the price.
A rolling maul brought Andrew Dixon a try but West clearly learnt no lessons from the first try conceded as an almost carbon copy brought Billingham's next try. Chip through - nobody sweeping behind the main defensive line - easy pick up and score!
Bilingham then took the lead for the first time, Craig Shepherd picking a nice line coming in from full-back and racing away from half-way to score under the posts, about the only place a conversion attempt was likely to be successful - and it was duly added.
Facing a half-time deficit after playing with what advantage the mostly cross-field wind was giving left West needing a big second half - and it just wasn't there. Losing Paul Moss and Andrew Davies to injury didn't help but Billigham's defence stepped up, rocking West runners back time after time and tries for Paul Shepherd and a second for Chris Hyndman put them out of sight.
West did manage a consolation try in the closing minutes, finally making inroads and leaving everyone wondering why it took until 79 minutes to see that sort of rugby.
West will certainly have to improve for next weeks trip to Driffield but take nothing away from Billingham, worthy winners, who exposed some weaknesses which will have to be worked on. Rob Thorn and Gav Painter were sorely missed and let's hope the knocks sustained heal and allow Moss and Davies to start on Saturday.
West: Thomas, Swales, A Cheslin, Hodgson, C Cheslin, Moss (Edwards), Tighe, Carr, A Dixon, Norris (Robinson), T Dixon, Davies (Best) (Coates), D Boatman, J Boatman, Rudd
Tries: T Dixon, A Dixon, A Cheslin
Billingham: C Shepherd, P Shepherd, A Hyndman, C Hyndman, M Evans, J Evans, Woodhouse, Robinson, Amos, Youdale, Dalton, Wildridge, Hutchinson, Robinson, Dixon
Reps: P Evans, Garbutt, Reay, Tennant
Tries: C Hyndman 2, A Hyndman, C Shepherd, P Shepherd
Cons: J Evans 2
Referee: Steve Havery [Durham Society]
Related Links:
Billingham Preview
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Author: MikeyBoy
Date: 24-02-08 09:36
Billingham looked well up for this match and west didn't for some reason. As others have already said, their back play was good - and once they got infront they put in a lot of tackles to prevent us making any sort of comeback.
Any news on injuries for next week?
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Author: vulpecula
Date: 25-02-08 19:33
If West don't get some backs that can tackle for next season, they are in for some fearful hammerings. It's been the same all season, unable to do the most straightforward things behind an excellent pack. The forwards must have left the field on Saturday somewhat unchuffed.
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Author: Players Support
Date: 25-02-08 20:07
Can vulpecula explain how we have the best defensive record in the league ,and the second highest points for!!!
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Author: On The Lash
Date: 25-02-08 20:44
Oh god - is it me, but in the world of the fair weather West supporter I can feel a crisis looming
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Author: scrum half
Date: 25-02-08 22:01
Backs didn't have their best game. We had a back three who had probably played very little time to-gether this season, hence kick through worked well for Billingham. Missed our biggest back in Thorn who works well with Painter ( also missing), new combination behind scrum when Moss was replaced, also possibly a team with one eye on next few weeks as possibly Driffield had.
I don't think we should think to much about next season until this one has finished. I am sure if we get promoted or end in a different league due to restructuring of leagues the management group who have rebuilt club well over last few seasons will look at team needed for the league we are in.
Lets just be pleased with the excellent performances most weeks this year.
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Author: Andy Quinn
Date: 25-02-08 22:25
Well said Scrum half. This surely must be the best season in a long while and long may it continue!
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NEXT FIXTURE
Rochdale
VENUE
Friendly - Away kick off 3.00
DATE
Saturday August 16th
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