| When Roy Kelly predicts a low scoring game between two tough defences you know your in for a try-fest and so it proved with a total of eight scores, evenly shared between the sides. Perhaps a combination of that prediction and the bitterly cold wind kept away some of the usual support with only a small number present to enjoy a close, well contested game with little to choose between the sides, as the scoreline suggests. | |
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| Pic. Mark Fletcher More Photos | |
| The Intermediate cup match was not without a little
controversy though, with a penalty try awarded to the visitors after
both Boatman brothers were yellow carded in the space of five
minutes just before the break. It perhaps was a little harsh given
the number of warmings Liverpool had been given in the opening 10
minutes for persistently pulling down the maul without any further
action from the official. But despite this Dave Stubbs' half time
team talk did the trick and West showed tremendous character to
battle back into the game and, had they won, it would not have been
undeserved. It was a much-improved performance from last week's table top clash with Middlesbrough and should they continue this form into next week there is no reason why a result can't be obtained at Sheffield Tigers. St Helens opened the scoring after 7 minutes when number-eight and skipper Phil Kearns cut a straight line and beat a couple of arm tackles to go in for the try, hardly making West look the best defence in North Two East. It took until the 24th minute for West to level things, their maul proving the most potent weapon but being halted illegally time and again by Liverpool infringements. After several forays inside the 22, Jon Boatman got the try when visiting fly-half Stabler spilled the ball trying to clear and quick recycling led to Boatman out-pacing message board hyped winger Ashley Stuart. Boatman was yellow-carded before Kearns grabbed his second try after 34 minutes and as West struggled to defend with a man down Dan Boatman joined Jon in the sin-bin when a penalty try was awarded after two scrums in the shadow of the posts. West looked frustrated going into half-time and with the scoreline an ominous 5-19 and two men off the field it was easy to see why. But a vociferous rallying call from Stubbs did the trick and the hosts came out looking more focussed and determined. Dan Boatman added West's second try on 53 minutes thanks to another good maul and the fightback really began to look on. Several opportunities went begging with big overlaps unused and they proved costly on the hour when a loose wall was cleared upfield only to take a horrible bounce on Andrew Hare at half-way. He looked to have tidied up but it was further hacked on twice by Liverpool players before Gav Painter touched down for a 5 metre scrum. Kearns duly added his third try with number eight pick up and the benefit of three scores under the posts had helped the visitors to a 26-10 lead. |
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| Pic. Mark Fletcher More Photos | |
| West had not given up though and Moss pulled the
deficit within two scores with a 40 metre penalty and when Chris
Lambert went over in the corner with 5 minutes still to play the
game was all of a sudden back on. Moss saw the crucial conversion
come back off the post but his side were not deterred. Greg Edwards
added a well finished try 2 minutes into added time after great work
from Paul Rudd and a quick drop goal conversion brought the scores
within a point and 1 more minute left to play. Unfortunately for West they couldn't move the ball down-field quick enough and a knock-on brought the final whistle. It had been a valiant effort and something from which many positives can be taken going back into league action next week with a trip to Sheffield Tigers in what is a must-win game if West want to remain promotion contenders. West: Painter, Lambert, Edwards, Moss, Hare, Wallis, Tighe, Carr, Cullinane, Norris (Robinson), Rudd, Miller, D Boatman, Myers, J Boatman. Tries: J Boatman, D Boatman, Lambert, Edwards Con: Moss Pen: Moss Sinbin: J Boatman, D Boatman Liverpool St Helens: Collins, Jones, O Cashman, Makamaka, Stuart, Stabler, McRobert, Nevitt, Battersby, Jackson, Bailey, Chadwick, Hale, J Cashman, Kearns. Reps: Houlton, Marshall, Paine, Donnelly Tries: Kearns, Penalty, Houlton Cons: Stabler 3 Referee: Nigel Cartwright [Durham Society] |
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West 25 Liverpool St Helens 26
By El Pedro - November 21 2006Dan Boatman
West just failed to complete a second half fightback in an entertaining cup encounter with Liverpool St Helens. The Merseysiders led 19-5 at the break but in the end West were left ruing a Paul Moss conversion late in the game that bounced back off the post.