Official West Hartlepool RFC

Is that the shortest match report in the history of this site?



Post Edited (07-12-08 14:08)

I'll write it for you if you like?

Be my guest. Be interesting to hear your thoughts.

And is that the longest game in the history of the sport of rugby union? ... The 450 minute :-O:oP

We thought all the west team played brilliant in the first half and were more than a match for the opposition. The second half will probably read a lot differant in the Hull papers, but the West lads did themselves proud,the scoreline not giving a true picture of the game.
Our lads attacked at every opportunity and every direction and were unlucky not to score. Hull's defence was good but not without its faults. Our forwards dominated the scrums and line outs,the backs tackled like demons, mossey's tackle was one of the best dump tackles i've seen this season closely followed by Dash's on the 6 foot 7 No 5. Tom Dixion and Robbo took all their ball, spoiling Hull's line time after time. The Cheslin's were outstanding causing the Hull defence numeours problems only last ditch tackling stopped west from scoring.
In conclusion Hull took the points but, never dominated the play, yes they have Tongan's but our lads matched them. Will things be different in the return leg. I think so.
Can we provide a linesman with whiter legs, i dont think so.

I would argue that your lads did the club proud and threw everything at us. In the first half you dominated posession, particularly at the lineout, but failed to score and in truth never looked like crossing the whitewash. Thought Dixon in the second row was your standout in the pack; it worries me that I played against his dad. The two West wingers played well and looked dangerous.
24 unanswered points in the second half doesn't happen by accident, I think it would be fair to say that West had given there all in the first and allied to a more direct approach from Hull saw more space appear which was clinically exploited. Was their also a gulf in fitness between the two sides? Hull defended for the majority of the first half but had the legs to run away with it in the second.

You throw in a few of the missing players in, add the inhospitable atmosphere of Brinkburn and the return match will be interesting.



Post Edited (07-12-08 23:05)

I've just read the match report on the Hull web site. Always worth getting a different perspective. I thought that the comment about the "good" crowd was particularly interesting, as I'm not sure what they would consider to be a "bad" crowd. It was pretty sparce in my opinion - if they weren't top of the league what sort of crowd would they expect ?
Interesting that they are sponsored by a housebuilder. In these difficult times probably not the best sponsor to be alligned with !

Probably has something to do with a link with the chairman: john beal !
Looks as though they have quite a list of sponsors including a few banks etc.

The fitness comment from Wonderfish is interesting. I think our fitness levels compared to most teams in the league this season have been very good. However ,if you are at work or college during the day there is only so much you can do on a night.

Hope Gez doesn't see these messages as the lads will get a beasting .

Well all the lads at Hull are at work during the day too! It's not as if there are any full time proffessionals. It wasn't a statement, just a possible reason as to why Hull were able to run away with the match after half time. perhaps West's Herculean effort in the first half tired them out; there were a few in the pack who appeared out on their feet and perhaps the bench could have been used sooner?

I was just going to repeat that none of the Hull boys are full-timers even if two of them are rugby development officers.
I thought you posed problems to our side in the first half but after that never looked like scoring as you spent a fair amount of time going sideways.
And if I were going to be provocative, which I am not, I would have said you were maybe fortunate to score nil.

Arrogant git. How can a team be fortunate not score any points? where do all these Tongans work then?

At the local Gym!! :oD:oD:oD

I see that Westoe v Hull is next up. If I was a betting man, which I am not, I would put my money on Westoe for that one.

Looks like a good hand off to me. I see no problem, obviously our player wanted to even it up and help with tackling after the first 50 points!



Post Edited (09-12-08 09:18)