The conditions at Mayfield Park were ideal for a game of rugby, complimented by a bumper crowd with the Old Boys faithful congregated on the left terrace and the ample west support scattered around the ground. Old Boys were once renowned for having the tallest goal posts of any rugby team, the score may have been a little different if they had the widest, as they missed 4 penalty attempts and a a drop goal throughout the match.

The first half was one for a local Derby purist and what it lacked in quality, it made up for in commitment, desire, abrasiveness and pride from both sides. It was a nervy start, with a smattering of handling errors, with both teams vying for a foothold in the game. Big carries by Jay Corbett, Chrissy Atkins and Corbett & Web our second row partnership (not a comedy duo) in attack and defence were prominent. Despite their similarities, were assured, that Olllie is not related to one of our forwards coaches.

The better looking Ollie in our team was also making his presence felt, defending in the early exchanges with on huge hit causing a mild skirmish, highlighting the passion of the game.

The first try scoring opportunity went the way of Old Boys, a miscommunicated pass from us went to ground and was hacked forward by their 10. A foot race ensued, thankfully Max Tennant was first to the ball over our line, he evaded a couple of players, making good ground before kicking down field into their half.

Max's brother Jake was Yellow carded for an offence still unknown as the referee had initially awarded us a penalty for opposition holding on. He was having a solid start to the game in the centres and would only go on to make more of an impact as the game progressed.

A couple of minutes later saw the first missed kick by the normally reliable boot of ex West player and last weeks try scoring hero Lewis Wilson, from a holding on penalty. His next opportunity came 10 minutes later from a wide out penalty attempt, it drifted wide and was caught by Will Hilditch (can't 100% confirm this but poetic licence an all that), he attempted to set off a move from under our posts but the ball was knocked on, giving Old Boys a gift of a 5 metre scrum. Following a masssive hit by Webby, they sent the ball wide and some great defence by Zac and Scotty outwide gave us our 2nd penalty of the half and some welcome relief.

With us now back to a full 15 and the game poised at 0-0 the last 7-8 minutes were hard fought. A linout in our own 22 was won at the front and resulted in a great drive only for the returning Penno to lose the ball after a great line and carry. Forman collected and was wide with an attempted drop goal on 37 minutes.

The deadlock was finally broken by Old Boys when the ball was shipped wide to winger Scarborough who showed he was no donkey, blazing towards the clubhouse to score. Converted well by Wlison.

HT 7-0

We started the second half well, with the pack carrying well, Hutch and the newly streamlined Aiden Jackson-Smith taking time off from fat shaming ex coaches to put him self about.

Our first try came from my man of the match Chrissy Atkins. A powerful carry by the returning Penno was the trigger and with Atkins on his shoulder he recieved the ball at pace, evaded two defenders to score, converted well from outwide by Zac.



Jake Tennant made a fantastic break from inside our own half and with brother Max outside of him, he failed (or chose) to know he was there and was brought down much to Max's annoyance. In a long line of brothers playing together for West, the Tennents were showing they can do as much damage to the opposition as the namesake drink did to the Scottish people in the 80's/90's.

Our second try came from an excellent catch and drive lineout from a penalty with the OG 'Hartlepool Hillbilly' Corbett capitilsing from the back of the maul. Before the game the coaches asked Jay if they thought he could score tries, knock people over and stay on the pitch for 80 mins, he said he would 'mullet' over and get back to them..he delivered on all three.

Another famous West name, Siddle, was becoming more prominent with Matt starting at an old familiar position of scrum half in the absence of captain Roo Painter (his younger brother Harry making his senior debut with the stags). Thankfully, Matty's passing was better than his dads and he kept us on the front foot in attack. He set up Ollie Connelly on a break but he was isolated and a penalty given, thankfully missed.

Jonny Wray, son of ex West prop Brian was bumped up to the first team bench having returned to rugby after a long sabbatical away from the game, replacing Ollie Webster on 60 minutes due to an alleged ankle injury. Shortly after we scored our third and possibly best try, following the try restart that didn't go the requisite 10. The impressive Penno collected and ploughed forward on the right of the pitch. From the ruck the ball hit the back line, Rolls Royce Hilditch hit a cracking line and two passes later it was in Max Tennants hands. With a chunk still do to he gassed the right wing, powered through the last defender to score a beauty..kick missed. 17-7 and the lively home crowd were now as silent as the cemetery adjacent.

Alex Johnson was on at hooker to add fresh legs to the pack with Jackson-Smith moving to prop. We were now fully in the ascendancy however Old Boys had other ideas and scored a pick and go try in the corner from a lineout penalty. The last 8/9 minutes both sides put it all in to finish the game strongly, either scoring the next try or preventing a try being scored, thankfully it was West that did both.

With three minutes left on the clock, we held up a maul from a lineout penalty to get the scrum put in. Despite our game long scrum dominance, we were penalised for an early push. With time against them, Old Boys took a quick tap and from the ruck, the never say die Atkins turned over the ball and delivered to the backs. A deft kick to the right of the pitch was made...Scott put his charity work to oneside, lifted his spotty eye patch up, collected the kick and sealed the victory in very fine fashion. Difficult kick missed by Zac.

FT 22-12

Special mentions:

Young Charlie Kay defying his age and frame, surprising the opposition with his strength in both attack and defence for a full 80..well played young man.

Jordan Painter,(a fellow ginger upside-down napper) didn't make his debut from the bench today and although currently not one of West's most famous painters, he's no impressionist and his work will appreciate in value in the years to come for the first team.

Well done to everyone across the club, for a variety of reasons, this was a very good day. Thank you to Old Boys for a great and close game and good luck for the remaining games.

Hartlepool: Ryan Foreman, Lewis Wilson, David Chester, Tom Keagen, Joe Scarborough, Ben Clarke, Taz Pelser, Graham Wilson, Max Filby, Adam Williamspn, Harry Watts, Shane Ivey, Philip Stevenson, Jon Carney, Tom Campbell.

Reps (all used): Dan Cooper, Connor Morris, Kieran Watson.

Tries: Scarborough, Wilson.

Con: Wilson

West: Zac Southern, Lewis Scott, Jake Tennant, Will Hilditch, Max Tennant, Ollie Connolly (capt), Matt Siddle, Liam Pennick, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, Ollie Webster, Will Corbett, Chris Atkins, Charlie Kay, Jay Corbett.

Reps (used): Alex Johnson, Jonny Wray. (Not used): Jordan Painter.

Tries: Atkins, Jay Corbett, Max Tennant, Scott.

Con: Southern.

Yellow: Jake Tennan