Official West Hartlepool RFC

I'm more interested in the rugby than the clubhouse/stand/car park, so....

over the last 4 seasons, west have beaten rovers 10 times out of 12 (not counting the extra friendly - which west also won). Total points scored in those games amount to west 267 - rovers 131, that's an average score of 22-11 to west per game.

If West field their main 1st team and not a Stag's team I think that average will be increased handsomely. Although even the Stag’s could exceed a 22-11 average victory against Rovers.

I think our backs would cut open Rovers a lot more than in the past once the quick ball is provided by the forwards. Plus West’s forwards should dominate the scrum too, mainly down to the experience of having to scrumage against superior teams this season, compared to Rover’s playing against the likes of Wallsend’s 2nd team.

Still a good opportunity to give some of the Stag’s a run out too.

a lot will hinge on the team we put out but i think rovers will definitely fancy their chances...they might have been playing against lower opposition but they are on a winning roll and having nothing to lose really because they will start as underdogs

i'd expect to see a few stags in the squad but hopefully it'll be fairly close to the first team that plays

Rovers will def be up for it after the season they are having. West won't take it easy though. Should be an excellent game

The facts are: we've dominated rovers over the last few years, although of course that doesn't mean we'll automatically do the same on boxing day. Like people have already said, I'll be interested to see what team we'll put out - but it should be a decent game. Rovers will be well up for it and are in a winning habit, they're in good try scoring form (even if it is against a poor standard) and there'll be a bit more edge to the game seeing as we don't have league matches against them this year.

I,d be happier starting with a W against Stockport first. :-)

Could not agree more Peter. Let's get some more league wins under our belt.
Boxing Day can wait a week

Peter, of course we want a win against Stockport - but this thread was titled "West v Rovers - Rugby Thread" so why would we talk about Stockport. Its just general banter about the always much anticipated boxing day match, lighten up as it is nearly Christmas.

Well said Livestrong7 !!!!!

Boxing day is all about the Under 16s anyway..

12-15 kick off. you can go home after that! B-]

i notice SCH stayed off this thread before he left for his christmas holidays. the word rugby in the title probably put him off

Nice 1 robok but use rnt gonna be vrsing us in a league game 4 a while
:-)

West must be making loads of friends this season, constantly berating the lower leagues. Rovers are playing in a mikey mouse league, I hope this is just Rover baiting and not people true opinion? Local neighbours like Sunderland and Horden must over the moon, at your opnion of their rugby.

Yes West are in a much higher league, yes they are playing good rugby but don't get arrogant, try a little humility it will go a long way.

As far as Boxing goes, West must start 20point favorite but hopefully Rovers can play well, show a little pride and do themselves justice.

robok - probably because most use unregistered, constantly changing names that I can't keep track of. lovespuds and livestrong have both commented on here.
any relics in your team this year?!

Coops,

I can assure you the digs against Rovers ARE tongue in cheek, often in retaliation to comments against West.

As an ex player I have good memories of boxing day and New Years day encounters, always contested in a robust way but never any ill feeling after the game.

Healthy competition is a pre-requisite for a sucessful team and long may it continue.

For the record, I think boxing day will be an evenly contested game. as it often is. League status or form rarely come into it.

Hope to see you land rich property owners at our school pitch, followed by warm hospitality in our cosy little portacabin.

at last common sense on the west site, thanks west fan.

Coops, of course most of the comments are tongue in cheek, you just need a humour implant to see them!!! Not sure if you know i played for both teams and quite enjoy the banter especially leading up to Boxing Day...irrespective of who is playing in what league. Come on fella, get the chip off your shoulder and get in the spirit!!!

Any1 fancy givin the teams a guess? Myns just based on giuving a few peeps a chance, with other usual 1st team members on the bench ...

Carr, Norris, Coates, Dixon, Miller, Myers, Boatman, Vinnicombe, Williamson, Moss, Butcher, Hodgson, Edwards, Kerr, Thomas (If Fit)