Official West Hartlepool RFC

although I don't think the coaches will make any changes from the last league game for this saturday, there certainly is some pressure in the backs after some good performances against Tech.

I personally would like to see Howe start against Boro - he's given a bit of purpose and energy in the centre in the one and a bit games he's played so far. The only thing stopping me starting a "gav painter for the 10 shirt" campaign is uncertainty about his kicking to touch, but we definately should be getting the ball in his hands as much as possible

Howe certainly impressed me on Saturday. I thought he was your best player. Gav Painter also impressed me with some lovely skills with the ball in hand.

A word on Mikey Young. He was brilliant in open play I thought. Chris Knight is a fantastic defensive full back and he glided past him as if he wasn't there for his first try. Mind I reckon he needs to do some work on his pass. Wasn't flat enough for my liking.

An enjoyable afternoon on Saturday and a game played in good spirit throughout.



Post Edited (11-12-06 11:03)

Enjoyed the game on Saturday, if West had not had the benefit of playing Mike Young it may have been a closer game.

I know West had a few injuries or were resting some players but the forward pack were not very convincing for a team 2 leagues above Tech. Their fitness proved to be much better than Tech in the second half but they were not imposing enough to trouble bigger packs. They did not seem to have forward players that would ball carry with any significance? Think you need some forwards who can break the game line from rucks and mauls which was not evident on Saturday. Did you only score one try through the forwards and the rest were scored by the backs?

But West backs looked very impressive when running the ball, lots of pace too. Howe played well at inside centre and made some good breaks.

Hope it was a bit of sarcasm about the pass, looked fine from my side of the fence, it meant Gav could stand a good distance from the scrum which left a nice gap for Mikey to exploit, although that was unfair taking advantage of us pensioners, very unsporting of you Mikey!

Yeah a bit of sarcasm :-D

Still think it could do with being a touch flatter though.

Tech Player,

Have you contradicted yourself?
I think you will find that only 3 (maybe 4) of the forwards that started the game are regular 1st teamers at West. This does not take away the credit to the lads that were brought into the forwards.
If West had fielded their full strength pack, Tech would have struggled to compete in the forwards. My opinion of course!

Flatter! try being on the end of one of Sids lob passes at 10ft, then watching gavs hands burn at 25ft.

:-D:oD Fair enough Mix

Some passes were taken at head height too. As far as I'm aware that isn't deemed beneficial at premiership and international level. Especially when you want to run onto the ball.

And before someone inevitably comes on here and says I'm slating the lad may I remind people that I have already stated I thought he was superb in open play.

I just think his pass could be better. It might be fantastic in a game between a level 6 club and level 8 club but at the top, which I understand he has potential to play at, it needs to be spot on.



Post Edited (11-12-06 11:49)

I'm surprised he bothered to pass as it looks like he could score whenever he wanted!
On a serious note don't forget that this is a young man who is still learning the game. He is an outstnding propsect who will continue to get better.



Post Edited (11-12-06 12:12)

Bored Stiff,

Struggling to see were I have contradicted myself in the previous post. In fact thought it was quite an accurate statement.

Will that not be a similar pack that starts againist Boro, with the exception of Boatman and Myers to come in? Both are good players but not enough to improve the pack to get a positive result against Boro. I am not critising West's forwards, just pointing out as a squad you will struggle against teams with more imposing forwards.

The forwards have been our strong point all season with the backs, as WPA correctly points out, misfiring a bit so it is encouraging to see the backs doing well - however, it wasn't the backline we've been putting out so far - will Stubbsy make any changes?

Now then fishface. How did Rovers get on at Gateshead then?

Why? Scared of them were ya?

I heard Rovers couldn't field a decent front row. Reckon they didn't fancy getting beaten ;-)

Sounds like a good game played in a fair spirit. Can only be good for the future of west to have players like Myers, Young, Painter, Dixon, Norris, Lambeth ( sorry if I have missed anyone) coming through the junior ranks, even if some may not stay long. Also good to see a few players coming east along the A66.

Not sure about comments on the forwards as I was not at the game but I think Myers and Boatman would have made a difference as the back row have been exceptional all year, usually having no problem with the game line.

The future is looking very bright with the basis of a good young team.