Rovers 17 West 30

By Dave Picken - January 6 2019
Rovers 17 West 30
Our third win of the season against our traditional rivals should be a cause for celebration. But  such is life at the top of Durham and Northumberland One the failure to gain a try bonus point removes much of the gloss ...

 Both Northern and Durham City took maximum points, so we go into next week's game against the Tynesiders at Brinkburn knowing that a win is pretty much a necessity.

At half time at the New Friarage very few would have betted against us getting that fifth point. We had cruised to a commanding 27-3 lead and the fourth looked a mere formality - instead we managed only one penalty in the whole of the second half.

Young Max Tennant gave us the perfect start with Zac Southern  timing his pass to send the winger in at the corner with Stu Waites on target.

Our play was efficient and sensible forcing Rovers into a  string of penaltiies. However, it was Daz Fawcett who slotted one for the home side before Stu responded with two for offsides.

Top scorer Will Hilditch was next on the scoresheet after our impressive line-out secured good ball -Waites finding Will running a strong line to go in close to the posts.

The third try also came courtesy of a line-out. This time the  Rovers throw cleared all the main jumpers and a grateful and ever-alert Isaac Robinson pounced to go over from five metres - Stu again converting to give his side a commanding 24 point lead.

That left an hour to get the bonus point try.

There was an adjustment just before the break with Gav Painter suffering a knee injury - Peacock coming onto the wing and Hilditch moving inside.

Rovers began the second half in forceful mood and got a quick reward wihen Jack Gunn powered over to set up an easy conversion for Fawcett.

Undaunted we came back forcing Chris Harrison to knock on five metres from his own line. The forwards forced their way to the line from the scrum and Adam Coates did cross with the the ball pinned to his thigh, but referee Andy Morton ruled he had knocked on.

We then opted for a shot at the posts from yet another penalty, but Waites' kick hit the post before he finished our scoring on 65 minutes with a penalty from 20 metres after Rovers were offside.

The floodlights were on at this point but only illuminating the clubhouse half which we were attacking - our hosts once again suffering a theft of cabling from the two pylons at the railway end. Fortunately, they have some more secure lighting being installed next week.

The gloom didn't stop Rovers from sticking the ball up their jeraeys and their determination eventually told when Gunn scored his second after a quick tap penalty from Taz Pelser.

Fawcett brought his side within two scores with ten minutes left, and it did lead to some much needed urgency from West.

Hilditch was stopped short twice as we looked for that bonus point, but it was Waites who came closest in the last move as he burst through only to be tackled two metres short of the line.

Rovers: Michael Railton, Steve Railton, Steve Barnfield, Jack Gunn, Chris Harrison, Daz Fawcett, Taz Pelser, Steve Smith, Tom Stead, Neil Stead, Will LLoyd, Nathan Rayner, Mark Burnside, Andrew Dring, Callum Whitehead. 

Changes (all used); Ian Flounders, Aaron Jeffrey, Ian Mulvihill.

Tries: Gunn (2)

Cons: Fawcett (2)

Pens: Fawcett (1) 

West : Zac Southern, Will Hilditch, Gavin Painter, Peter Youll, Max Tennant, Stu Waites, Ryan Painter (captain), Adam Coates, Andrew Rollins, Danny Cookland, John Bunter, Chris Atkins, Alex Barker, Isaac Robinson, Adam Brown.

Changes (all used): Joe Rafferty, Tim Blades, Adam Peacock.

Tries: Tennant, Hilditch, Robinson.

Cons: Waites (3)

Pens: Waites (3)

Referee: Andy Morton (Yorkshire).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Rovers 17 West 30
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 06/01/2019 11:46


Re: Rovers 17 West 30
Posted by: LesterP (IP Logged)
Date: 06/01/2019 12:28

Yes, the report says it all really. A shame about the BP but a great first half - some of the best continuity/phases we have put together so far in my view.

Half time came a bit too early for us and the Rovers lads did get the momentum in the second half to their credit.

As people rightly say though - A Wins a Win, Onward & Upward - The Joy Ride continues ...... 😁

Stood Fast - Never Surrendered. Well done everyone.

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