West 23 Rovers 15

By Dave Picken - December 27 2018
West 23 Rovers 15
The most important game for both Rovers and West comes on January 5th when they meet at the New Friarage in search of league points .. until then Hartlepool rugby is the winner after a big crowd turned out on an unseasonably mild afternoon to support the traditional boxing day game between the local rivals. It was a tense affair with little running rugby to entertain the holiday crowd who had to settle for lots of effort and a tight score line, which kept the game open until the final stages ..


Andrew Rollins took his traditional Boxing Day rest, and with Adam Coates recovering from a cut to his forehead, it was a revamped front row of Danny Cookland, Adam Brown and Craig Hadwen which took to the field.
Referee Mark Harrington was kept on his toes throughout, and made his first big decision after just five minutes when Rovers’ flanker Andrew Dring was made to pay for a series of penalties after we had attacked from the kick off.
However, it was the visitors when went ahead after ten minutes when Stu Waites was penalised for offside giving his opposite fly half Daz Fawcett an easy shot at goal.
We came back with one of the few free flowing moves of the game – top scorer Will Hildicth jinking his way over after No 8 Jay Corbett sucked in defenders with a powerful run to the line.
Waites converted and he was on target again after 20 minutes when skipper Ryan Painter finished off after Corbett once again made ground – this time up the left wing.
Rovers came back with a neatly taken try from flanker Mark Burnside after a quick penalty taken by the lively Taz Pelser.
Fawcett missed with the conversion but Waites was successful with two penalties to give his side a 20-8 lead at the break.
Rovers took the initiative in the second half with West winger Max Tennant receiving a yellow card, closely followed by a barrelling run from Ian Pinchen who was delighted to score against his old side.
Fawcett’s conversion brought the score to 20-15 but we remained dogged and Waites gave us a more comfortable lead with a 25 metre penalty after 55 minutes.
With Michael Hogan on the pitch - for the first time in 15 months and three days - both sides slugged it out for the remainder of the game with Rovers hampered by several yellow cards.
West: Zac Southern, Callum Johnston,, Will Hilditch, Peter Youll, Stu Waites, Ryan Painter (capt), Craig Hadwen, Adam Brown, Danny Cookland, John Bunter, Jake Linighan, Chris Atkins, Isaac Robinson, Jay Corbett,.

Reps All used: Michael Hogan, Matt Siddle, Alex Barker, Jonny Hunter

Tries: Hilditch, Painter,
Cons: Waites (2)
Pens:: Waites (3)

Rovers: Sainty, S Railton, S Barnfield, Armstrong, Gunn, Fawcett, Pelser, I Flounders, T Stead, Lloyd, Rayner, Little, Burnside, Dring, Whitehead (c).
Changes:O’Callaghan, Langley, N Stead, Pinchen
Tries Pinchen, Burnside.
Cons: Fawcett (1)
Pens: Fawcett (1)
Referee: Mark Harrington (Durham Society)_

 

 
West 23 Rovers 15
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2018 10:11


Re: West 23 Rovers 15
Posted by: Parental Unit (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2018 10:53

Not a great game but thoroughly enjoyable day all round and as was said rugby union is alive and kicking in the town. Hopefully all our clubs will continue to keep their heads above water and even move up the leagues.
Happy New Year

Re: West 23 Rovers 15
Posted by: Hardwick Man (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2018 12:15

Not a feast for the eyes...but some very very had tackling as ever.
Let's see what happens next year(next week) dig deep , heads down lads

Re: West 23 Rovers 15
Posted by: proud dad (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2018 12:37

Found the strips too much alike especially towards the end of the game



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 27/12/2018 18:51 by proud dad.

Re: West 23 Rovers 15
Posted by: Kathryn 😊 (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2018 13:46


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