Official West Hartlepool RFC

a ggod weekend of rugby is coming up when teams can really start talking promotion or fearing relegation. undoubtably the game of the weekend is the west v boro game. i would be surprised to see west win as boro have some experianced players that have played at a higher level, in the two guys signed from darlington and richie horton spring to mind. just how crucial the home advantage going to be i think what ever it is going to be close i can't see there being more than 5 points in it. it is going to be good. also i can see rovers beating crocs and hordon should beat morpeth at home

Mr Stevens

I agree an interesting weekend, but I must point out that experience is a plenty in the West Ranks.

Jon Boatman - National 3 (Mowden Park)
Dave Tighe - National 1,2 & 3
Andy Davies - National 2 & 3
Brett Cullinane - Premiership
Paul Rudd - National 3
Carlo Robinson - National 2 & 3
Peter Hodgson - National 3

The list goes on in terms of experience.

Bulls

Not to mention Stuart Bennett. Egypt over 35's 2nd XV. Thats experience for you.

Great name indeed, knowing me Jona4h he might just need it. lol%-)

Pleased to see Rudd making a comeback at Sheffield. Am I right in thinking that Tim Sawyer will be our only absentee?

Don't forget Henry, he'll sulk.

yep please don't forget Henry!

mr bennett if west have all this experiance and presumably a bit talent in these players that have played in higher leagues in their team how come it has taken so long to mount a promotion challenge.

Mr Stevens ( wish I knew who you really are)

Quite an unexperienced comment from you I think.

If you knew anything about rugby (DOUBTFUL) then you would know that experienced players within a team do not necessarily mean a good team. Look at all the good experienced players that have played for clubs who have not done well.

As for experienced players mentioned in your thread, my reply was intended to point out that the likes of Brett Cullinane, Davy Tighe, Andy Davies have ALL played at a higher level than Marty Howe, Paul Lee and Richy Horton.

Bulls%-)%-)

I respect the fact that many of the west players have high level experience, but this merely accuratley represents the sorry state the club was in at the time rather than the outstanding talent of the individuals involved.

For example i remember a fella who played on the wing (forget his name) a number of seasons ago who would be lucky to get a game for our thirds.

I agree that just because players have played a higher level doesn't always mean they are of a better standard. But this applies to the original point bill stevens made about Boro as well though. They're enitire team was playing at a higher level than N2E last season... but they got relegated. So that doesn't really count for anything.

What really counts is this season. Both west and boro have won the same amount of games. Boro have scored more points and have had more "big" wins. West have home advantage on Saturday. Who are the favourites? I don't know but it will be close.

So are you saying lilley and walton are no good?

I agree partially with your last comment (can't beleive i am too be honest) but experience also helps the players as well

If my knee was ok i would happily play for Rovers....if there was no game at West of course ;-):oP

Exactly right SCH when you say "just cos you played there doesnt mean you was any good"; indeed there have been a few stinkers in the past (even in the fully professional era). However the players players mentioned by Bennett at the beginning of this thread are all very good players who have performed consistently well in higher level rugby.

The 3 mentioned again by Bennett in his example (Tighe, Cullinane and Davies) to boring Bill Stevens have been the best 3 players in their specialized positions in this town for a number of years - please do not try and deny that you would turn away their services if they turned up for training at Rovers one dark night.

They also show there is more to rugby than a trip along the 66 for 150 notes a game - an offer these 3 (and others at West) have heard every season for God knows how long.