Boxing Day Preview

By Dave Picken - December 23 2014
Boxing Day Preview
There are just ten places in the league structure between West and Rovers so the last Boxing Day game in our temporary home should be as hard fought as all its predecessors.

The game gives the coaches the opportunity to blood some new faces in the shape of Danny Quinn and Callum Johnson. It also sees a return to first team action for versatile back Greg Edwards (pictured).

"Greggor" has taken more than  a year of hard work to build his ankle back up following surgery, and he's celebrated his recall by becoming engaged. Or perhaps it's the other way round.

He'll be on the bench alongside Alex Barker who is also returning from long term injury.

Their recovery is testament to the skills of club physio Michael Geritz  who is also currently working with Gavin Painter.

Gav has rejoined the club following his starring spell with Mowden Park. He has also undergone surgery, and we are looking forward to seeing him back in a West jersey sometime in 2015.

His experience would be a particular bonus  in season 2015-16 when a planned RFU restructure will see every club trying to finish as high up the league as possible.

The follwoing season (2016-17) will see a flattening of the league structure with a lot more leagues at level 6 - where Billingham and Westoe now play. Membership would give us the prospect of less travelling and more competitive games against the likes of Billingham, Morley and Cleckheaton.

However, we have a couple of Boxing Days to enjoy before that becomes a prospect. This  year our starting XV is pretty much the one which defeated Dinnington's big pack in the last home game. Liam Bailey will continue his new career in the back row, where his dynamism and hard tackling is making up for the weight he lost while playing in the centre.

Unfortunately Ian Pinchen is unavailable to face his old club  as he's doing important things for the NHS. On the plus side Ross Wood is able to continue in the front row where his excellent scrummaging has been a feature of recent games.

West Squad:15 Stu Waites  14 Kyle Jamieson 13 Scott Butcher 12 Peter Youll 11 Luke Mallinson 10 Zac Southern 9 Ryan Painter 1 Ross Woods 2 Andrew Rollins 3 Adam Coates 4 Jay Corbett 5 Chris Atkins 6 Liam Bailey 7 Dan Boatman (capt) 8 Sam Miller 

Reps: Alex Barker, Jack Angus, Joe Rafferty, Michael Hogan, Jordan Baggs, Gary Jackson, Greg Edwards, Callum Johnson, Dan Quinn.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Boxing Day Preview
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 23/12/2014 16:41


Re: Boxing Day Preview
Posted by: old shepherd (IP Logged)
Date: 23/12/2014 17:53

Looking good. Hope that there aren't many cry offs. Looking forward to a competitive match..

Re: Boxing Day Preview
Posted by: Denny Dixon (IP Logged)
Date: 24/12/2014 07:57

Should be a competitive match and for sure Rovers will be up for bit as usual but will try to emphasise that the difference in league positions has shortened. Let the WEST competiveness prevail and show our class and ability is more than that current gap indicates. Good luck to all involved and hope you all have a great day!!!

Re: Boxing Day Preview
Posted by: Kitchenette (IP Logged)
Date: 24/12/2014 23:01

Another young prospect getting a run out - well done callum johnson - enjoy it fella

Re: Boxing Day Preview
Posted by: Neutral observation (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2014 12:04

Howay man spell the lads name right...Johnston

Good luck Callum

Re: Boxing Day Preview
Posted by: Kitchenette (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2014 22:51

Johnston... oops ...did he turn up! ;-)

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