Bees 24 West 16

By Dave Picken - October 8 2017
Bees 24 West 16
With ten minutes left we were just one point behind and in with a great chance of a win .... unfortunately it was not to be...

A missed pass in our 22 allowed the Bees to use their most powerful weapon, the scrum, to force the winning try - condemning us to stay in the bottom three for the next fortnight, at least.

Backs coach Stu Waites was forced to name himself on the bench, after the late withdrawal of playmaker Gavin Painter and winger CeeJay Beales, with former skipper Dan Boatman enticed out of retirement.

He packed down in yet another new back row combination alongside Jordan Baggs and Jay Corbett who were also making their first starts of the season. All three did exceptionally well to keep the ball in a scrum which went backwards throughout the game. 

By contrast the West line-out was dominant, which led to a competitive contest. 

We also had the benefit of Liam Checksfield starting for the first time after his move to University and Newcastle Falcons. 

Last season's top try scorer hadn't played a competitive game for a month. He made the first break of the game and was close to going over himself until a last-ditch tackle forced him to pass out wide to Adam Peacock who was bundled into touch. 

We kept up the pressure with Corbett almost going over, and when the Bees infringed stand-in fly half Siddle gave us a three point lead. 

Playing into the wind we continued to give as good as we got only to fall l behind on 25 minutes when Checksfield, playing at full back, looked to have a kick down the right wing covered. 

Unfortunately, he lost control of the ball as he slid in to collect allowing right winger James Morton an easy score, which he failed to convert. 

At 5-3 down we looked like we might keep the home side out until the break only for another scrum to break down on their line with the referee awarding a penalty try. An automatic seven points these days, which fooled our lads who collected behind the try line waiting for the kick.

Bradford and Bingley looked likely to add to their tally just before the break with another scrum which also resulted in a penalty. Skipper Ryan Painter was sin-binned for his reaction to the ref's decision with Jordan Baggs going off to allow Zac Southern to come on to reinforce the backs.

Against a seven man pack the Bees understandably opted for a scrum, and there was massive relief in the West ranks when they were penalised for pushing too early

At 12-3 down at the break, and with the wind behind us, we were very much in the game. However, ourr hopes were dealt a blow when No 8 Tom Cummins powered over just two minutes into the second half with fly half Dan Jeffrey missing what should have been a routine conversion. 

Our response was to come back with a try of our own. Matt Siddle, playing at scrum half while Painter was in the bin, neatly chipped over the defence from 20 metres out and collected to go over with Southern converting. 

We kept the pressure up taking the score to 17-16 with two excellent long-range penalties from Southern – both sailing through the middle of the posts.

There was a definite unease among the home players with  Checksfield switching to the left wing and the backs looking to get him away at every opportunity.

Sadly, they did it once too often - opting to pass the ball out instead of kicking for territory in their own 22. The pass went forward with the pack just managing to stop the resulting scrum from going over.  

But they couldn't stop former rugby league player Dennis Tuffour from evading three tackles as he made it over the line when the ball was spun wide – the try giving his side their eight point winning margin and a try bonus point.  


Bradford and Bingley: Adam Sutcliffe, James Morton, Dennis Tuffour, Inoke Finau, Hafiz Karim, Dan Jeffrey, Ben Greaves, Michael Crotch, Sam White, Ryan Wederell, Harry Jeffrey, Troy Frisch, Will Broadbent, Louis Fraser, Tom Cummins. 
Reps (all used): Max Mountain, Roger Raper, Ryan Wilson. 
Tries: Morton, Cummins, Tufour, Pen. Try. 
Conversions: Morton (1), Jeffrey (1) 
 
West: Liam Checksfield, Ben Armstrong, Will Hilditch, Peter Youll, Adam Peacock, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter (capt), Alex Key, Jordan Foulds, Craig Hadwen, John Bunter, Jake Linighan, Jay Corbett, Jordan Baggs, Dan Boatman. 
Reps (used) : Adam Brown, Zac Southern. Not used: Stu Waites. 

Try: Siddle

Con: Southern

Pen: Siddle, Southern (2)

Yellow: Painter (38), Youll (77)
 

 
Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 08/10/2017 12:30


Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: LesterP (IP Logged)
Date: 08/10/2017 15:03

Sounds like a tight one - good effort lads.

Scrummaging sounds like a bit of an issue at the moment but easily rectified now the lovely long, cold, wet, dark nights are with us; practice, practice, practice - loads of lovely scrums on the machine in the rain and mud on a Tuesday night ! Lovely stuff and great for the soul after a Monday back at work;lugs like melted candles on a Wednesday morning 😁 but well worth it when we start to destroy the opposition on a Saturday afternoon - best part of the game it is, especially that feeling when you have them on the rack, half backs peddling backwards as all their fancy, pre programmed training ground moves fall apart because their pack can't breath anymore - great stuff !

Come on lads - let's turn it round and get back to where you deserve to be. Come on West - No Surrender !

Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: milkybar kid (IP Logged)
Date: 09/10/2017 03:56

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2017 00:40 by milkybar kid.

Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: Dave Picken (IP Logged)
Date: 09/10/2017 10:42

Thought things were quiet in the club.
The lads were well aware of what they should have done and I'm sure the lesson will have been learned.
It was another side put together at the last minute, and the lads who did travel did themselves and the club proud.
They weren't blaming anyone but themselves for any mistakes made. If anything they were trying too hard.

Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: Roni C (IP Logged)
Date: 09/10/2017 11:53

I agree with all comments
I was at the game and we were definitely trying to force the game...too much at times, however that's to be expected given our current position and is no disrespect to anyone involved on Saturday.
All the comments above are very valid, however without the consistency in available players and numbers at training its very very difficult to right.
Being unable to field the same starting 15 in any 2 games this season isn't what the club wants, but its where we are at the moment.
We have lost an abundance of players to other commitments i.e. retirement, Universities and work patterns etc and the coaches can only work with who is available and field who they believe to be the best available on a Saturday.
It needs everyone from the top down right throughout the club to be pulling in the same direction and ultimately showing commitment.

The aim this season must now be to stay in this league and that's everyone's responsibility !!

Apart from the Morpeth defeat, I really believe the Penrith and B & B games were very winnable and there wasn't a great deal between the teams........it can be put right !!

Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: Kolly (IP Logged)
Date: 09/10/2017 15:35

Spot on Roni

Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: Rozzy 1 (IP Logged)
Date: 09/10/2017 17:20

Well said Roni ... sums it up well.
We could be in for a tough winter, but it's the sort of test that sorts out winners from losers.
It needs a bit of the old sleeves-up attitude and we'll do it.

Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: milkybar kid (IP Logged)
Date: 10/10/2017 00:47

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2017 00:35 by milkybar kid.

Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: LesterP (IP Logged)
Date: 10/10/2017 11:34

No games Saturday ? Can we fit in a training session ? With some Ale afterwards :-)

Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: Rozzy 1 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/10/2017 15:09

Why is MBK seeing stars in his two emails?

Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: RoverandOut (IP Logged)
Date: 11/10/2017 16:03

Where is West Park Argument in all of this?

Has he taken his bat and ball home?

Does he still go to (home only ha ha)games?

I think we should be told......

Re: Bees 24 West 16
Posted by: West Park Allotment (IP Logged)
Date: 11/10/2017 19:35

Nothing to add to what’s been said already. Thanks for your concern.

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