SS Westoe Preview

By Dave Picken - December 14 2018
SS Westoe Preview
We go into the last league game of the year level on points with Durham City who are in the play-off place and with everything to play for in the second half of the season. If we are to challenge Northern for the one automatic promotion place we will almost certainly have to win all of our remaining home games starting with South Shields Westoe which is now a 2.00 kick off at Brinkburn ...

Our last two games have ended in the gloom - both on and opff the pitch in the case of the City game where we lost in  the last seconds of seven minutes added time.

So the earlier kick off makes sense, specially as the forecast is for cloud and showers, and Westoe kindly agreed to come down the A19 a little earlier

We will be facing a wounded tiger. Westoe began the season as promotion favourites, but  have come second best in their last three league games including at Horden and Peterlee and Rovers.

As a result, the trip to Brinkburn is a must win if they are to keep any top two ambitions alive.

It was a tough game at Wood Terrace, which was our first away game in the new league. Against a strong line-out  we worked hard and kept them out even when we were temporarily down to 13 men, and in the end were just about worth our  24-19 win.

The West side which looks to end 2018 on a high shows a few changes to the one which never hit top gear at Gateshead last week, but which came away with a comfortable 34-8 victory.

Young second row Jake Linighan did have another impressive game, and has given his coaches the good news that his work commitments mean he will now be available for this game. He'll pack down alongside John Bunter who came on from the bench last wek and looked sharp after his mid-season break in the Florida sunshine.

However, the most notable change is in the backs where Adam Larkin makes his first start aftr his return to the club. The scorer of one of our most memorable tries of recent years, at Durham City, is working offshore and had  been playing for Seaham when he could.

Prop Danny Cookland, who scored one of the tries of this season-  at Whitby after sprinting more than 50 metres - is also back after a foot injury and will be on the bench.

West: Zac Southern,  Adam Larkin, Gavin Painter, Peter Youll, Will Hilditch, Stu Waites, Ryan Painter (capt), Adam Coates, Andrew Rollins, Adam Brown, Jake Linighan, John Bunter, Chris Atkins, Alex Barker, Andy Turner.

Changes: Danny Cookland, Adam Peacock, Connor McLurg.

 
SS Westoe Preview
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 14/12/2018 09:04


Re: SS Westoe Preview
Posted by: LesterP (IP Logged)
Date: 14/12/2018 17:39

Strong line up - let's go into the Xmas break with a sack full of points tomorrow.

Stand Fast Boys - No Surrender !

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