West 51 Novos 27

By Dave Picken - September 2 2018
West 51 Novos 27
We began life in our first season in Durham and Northumberland One in some style - the nine try demolition of Novocastrians at Brinkburn came courtesy of a dominant pack and some sharp handling in the backs.


Ladies DayBoth the Firsts and Stags warmed up in pink tee shirts as part of the Ladies Day festivities which in total raised more than £900 for Breast Cancer Charities. (The Stags drew 12-12 all with Old Boys in the CaNDY league.)

 

Head coach Stu Waites made an immediate impression at fly half after missing the whole of last season after a shoulder operation.

He pulled the strings which kept Novos on the back foot throughout- although the visitors did manage four tries and a bonus point of their own .

Their tries all came from long range as we either lost concentration or missed a tackle.

Our season was up and running as early as the fifth minute with Man of the Match Scott Butcher finishing off some pressure in the right hand cornerr.

Gavin Painter’s conversion slid across the post and he was narrowly wide four minutes later when Isaac Robinson scored in the same spot on his return to the club from University. The flanker emerging from a melee of bodies to stretch out to touch down.

Novos came back with a penalty from fly half Nick Bellamy quickly followed by a try from centre Jez Nash. He brushed aside two tackles as he powered in from the 22 metre line

Bellamy’s easy conversion was missed, and our response was keep play in the opposition half where the pressure eventually told. Full back Zac Southern came into the line timing his pass to perfection to send winger Adam Peacock in at the right hand corner.

The conversion was again just wide but it didn’t take long for us to increase the margin with the try of the game. Replacement Matt Siddle – on for an unwell Will Hilditch – collected a clearing kick deep in his own half.  He kicked high over the onrushing defenders winning the race to the bounce where he deftly flicked the ball into his hands. He then drew the full back sending in Alex Barker to earn a try bonus point with just half an hour gone.

Painter converted to providea deserved 22-8 lead but we lost concentration just before the break with dangerous full back Jonny Ward racing in from 40 metres, and Bellamy taking the half time score to 22-15.

With just one score in it the game was still open.

That all changed within minutes of the restart. This time Ward was the villain as a smart cross field kick from Waites looked destined to be collected by Siddle on the left wing. However, he was take out by Ward just five metres from the line with referee Andrew Bennett deciding a yellow card was sufficient punishment.

The home supporters were demanding a penalty try, but their side was not to be denied as we scored three tries while Ward was in the sinbin.

We'd had numerous attacks from the resulting penalty with Scott Butcher eventually finding the space.

The it was the backs turn as Peter Youll burst through the middle to bring Southern into play. The full back stepped inside and timed his outside pass to winger Peacock who smartly stepped in for his second try of the afternoon.

Then it was the Siddle and Barker combination which again proved successful. Waites began the move to send Siddle racing up the wing and his inside pass gave Barker an easy run in once again.

The game was already beyond Novos when Southern cut inside once again and - despite being held up close to the line - was first to react when  the ball went loose to touch down.

The visitors were in consolation score territory and did manage two tries from centre Sam Busby, who danced his way through the defence, and achieved their bonus point try from full back Ward.

However, it was West who had the last say with prop Adam Brown powering over in the last move of the game.

West: Zac Southern, Will Hilditch, Gav Painter, Peter Youll, Adam Peacock, Stu Waites, Ryan Painter (capt), Johnny Hunter, Andrew Rollins, Adam Brown, John Bunter, Joe Rafferty, Alex Barker, Isaac Robinson, Scott Butcher.

Replacements (all used) Craig Hadwen, Matt Siddle, Connor McLurg.

Tries: Barker (2), Butcher (2), Peacock (2), Brown, Robinson, Southern.

Cons: G Painter (4)

Novocastrians: Jonny Ward, Ben Wollerton, Sam Busby, Jez Nash, Shaun Stewart, Nick Bellamy, Paddy Sowter, Josh Stacey, Pete Twentyman (capt),Luke Menzfeld, Adam McDonald, Alex Littlefair, Chris Law, George Banbrick, Sean Ramsay.

Replacements (all used). Euan Duncan, Tommy Bilclough, Rich Harrison

Tries: Nash, Ward (2), Busby.

Cons: Bellamy (2)

Pens: Bellamy (1)

Yellow: Ward (43)

Referee: Andrew Bennett (Durham)

 
West 51 Novos 27
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 02/09/2018 12:12


Re: West 51 Novos 27
Posted by: Giraffe (IP Logged)
Date: 04/09/2018 21:05

Thought it a very encouraging first outing. Pack dominant, backs fluid. Some tightening needed in terms of Novos direct running causing problems but again, overall an excellent start.

Re: West 51 Novos 27
Posted by: West.fan (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2018 18:04

I agree, a great start to the rugby and a great atmosphere in the club after the game.

Re: West 51 Novos 27
Posted by: Parental Unit (IP Logged)
Date: 06/09/2018 09:34

Great report and video thanks. Good start to the season and after so little rugby things can only get better or so we hope.
Giraffe is right about some things needing tightening up and I'm sure WPA will remind us that it all gets put right on the training pitch.

Re: West 51 Novos 27
Posted by: West Park Allotment (IP Logged)
Date: 06/09/2018 10:52

Don't need me to remind anyone. The harder you work the better the results.

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