|
The Friaragemen didn’t help their cause with a couple of West’s tries coming from the conceding of penalties and a sucker try right on half time levelling the scores not long after Rovers had taken the lead. West, however, were dominant up front, forcing Rovers to play the ball mainly on the back foot and deserved their win.
When news came through at the break that Driffield were winning 15-14 at Carlisle, there was, with West and Rovers tied 10-10, some optimism but as the game entered its last ten minutes and Old Crossleyans comfortably leading York, the Friarage Faithful were left hoping for Driffield, by then trailing Carlisle 19-18 , mounting a late fightback. A last gasp try for Mark Shires and Chris Sainty’s conversion gave Rovers hope there would be some more injury time but there was no restart and the 26-18 scoreline at Warwick Road was the final nail in the Whites’ coffin.
West’s forwards made early ground playing through the phases and won penalties in the right hand clubhouse corner, Steve Wallis being sin binned in the process, but the Rovers’ defence held out only to blow a penalty on half way and a blindside break by Dave Tighe put Rob Thorn in at the right corner.
Sainty went wide with a penalty after 15 minutes but made no mistake on 33 minutes after good runs by Brian Foreman and Wallis. By now, both Paul Rudd and Dan Boatman were ‘in the bin’ and this was the cue for Rovers to try and take advantage of their numerical superiority.
A charge down by Brian Foreman of a Gavin Painter kick bounced kindly for Sainty and he raced to the line and added the extra points for a 10-5 lead. Paul Kirton was then shown the yellow card for a high tackle on Neil Howe, possibly a harsh call, and from the penalty West drove into the Rovers 22 where Thorn went over for his second try.
West regained the lead five minutes after the interval when Rovers failed to clear a kick through and were penalised for holding on, a massive drive to the line bringing a try for Tom Dixon, Paul Moss converting. Rovers looked as though they had fallen further behind when the referee raised his arm to award a ‘try’ to Rudd but then changed his decision to a 5 metre scrum, ruling the number eight had been held up.
A further try did come when Andrew Cheslin squeezed in at the left corner leaving the Friaragemen with a mountain to climb. With the clock ticking away, Rovers ran at West and Shires added to his great try against Aspatria with another solo effort from the home 22 but Sainty’s conversion brought the final whistle.
Acting captain Gareth Foreman and his players lined up to congratulate the West team before the squads went their separate ways, West to celebrate their title, Rovers to console each other, their four years in North Two East at an end.
West: Painter, Thorn (C Cheslin 77), Hodgson, Howe, A Cheslin, Moss, Tighe, Carr (c), A Dixon, Robinson (Norris 62), T Dixon, Davies (Garside 77), D Boatman (sin bin 33), J Boatman, Rudd (sin bin 28)
Rovers: Shires, Lilley, B Foreman, P Hall, Sainty, G Foreman (c), A Arnell (Rose 71), Tucker, J Cushlow, Wise (Bingham 41), Wallis (sin bin 9), D Smith, Kirton (sin bin 39), S Hall, Grazier (Taylor 43)
|
Author: RoverandOut
Date: 20-04-08 00:22
Well stuck in today lads.
Let's lift the County Cup and look to bounce straight back next season.
It won't be easy, and will take a lot of hard work, but we can do it.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Players
Date: 20-04-08 13:38
On behalf of the West players we would like to thank the Rovers boys for their genuine congratulations. Hope you win the Cup and get straight back up next year.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: WestFan
Date: 20-04-08 14:41
Ditto to "Players" comments. Hope you come straight back up.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Tim Sawyer
Date: 20-04-08 20:07
An outstanding gesture given the circumstances.
Thank you and best wishes.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Broken Army
Date: 20-04-08 22:32
Good to hear. Great sportsmanship even though you must have absolutely gutted. I still thought you would have stayed up.
Best of luck next season.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Stagarooney
Date: 20-04-08 23:07
I have no doubt you'll be straight back up come the end of next season.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Stan the Camel
Date: 21-04-08 16:27
Author: Tim Sawyer
Date: 20-04-08 20:07
An outstanding gesture given the circumstances.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would just like to echo Tim's comments - it says a lot about the players and the whole of your fine club.
I for one will be hoping you win all your league games next year.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: On-The-Lash
Date: 21-04-08 08:24
Great to see a load of Rovers lads stay all night and get smashed.
Well done, lads, that shows great character and proper sportsmanship.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Stan the Camel
Date: 21-04-08 22:47
Oh nooooooooo! It gets no worse than this - a love in with R&0. Just hope nobody finds out about the texts with Robok and Leg End or I may be asked to leave. Mayfield Bowls will always have me, though.
Stan - note lack of smilies to indicate seriousness
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Contact SportNetwork.net | Join Us: Official | Join Us: Unofficial | Advertise on SportNetwork.net | Complain | Our Links
