The Victorious Under 15's

West started off the day with the worst possible start being told a different time KO to the opposition, who at 12 noon where waiting to start the game. So we hurried through and had 10 minutes to get changed and get out on the pitch. So wallis kicked off and the kick and chase was excellent and placed gateshead under pressure straight away. West then scored the first points of the day with a pick up from the base of the scrum from palmer who fed to williamson who went over in the corner. Wallis's conversion was just wide of the upright.

Gateshead hit back and scored almost instantly with a pushover try which was unconverted. West rallied together and played some great rugby,. running good angles and offloading in the tackle. West scored again in the corner after a good move in the backline and some good handling. Daniel Charlton was the scorer. Wallis again missing the conversion. As after the first West try gateshead scored almost instantly after some very poor tackling out on the left wing. this was converted making the score 12-10 to gateshead.

The game was very tense, and you could get this from the players as time after time West were giving away silly penalties when they had good field position. Mistakes which need cutting out. daniel charlton was again in the corner after another good move in the backs, Wallis this time making the conversion from on the touch line.

There were alot of mistakes from both teams, basic handling errors and passes etc, showing the pressure which both teams were applying to each other. Gateshead again scoring another pushover try which was unconverted.

Half Time 17-17

West started the second half a bit shakey and were again giving away silly penalties. West made a sub at half time scott borthwick went off with a recurence of his shoulder injury and was replaced by colin cheslin. West put pressure on gateshead with some good running from o'donovan, williamson, palmer, clayton and moss. We couldn't turn the territory and pressure into points as has been our problem most of the season. Gatesheads goal kicker was in good form and with the wind at his back landed 3 long range penalties. Wallis then went over for the final score of the game and his conversion clipped the post.

There were a lot off supporters and players who feel that the referee favoured gateshead after the confusion before the game and i think that this was reflected in the number of desisions which went their way on the day.

Full Time West 22 Gateshead 26

Robbed for a second year in a row.

15. Martin Todd 14. Daniel Charlton 13. Scott Borthwick 12. Paul Moss 11. Craig O'Donovan 10. Philip Wallis 9. Chrissy Williamson 8. Carl Miller 7. William Richardson 6. Gregg Edwards 5. Steven Clayton 4. Stu Palmer 3. Ryan Phillips 2. Philip Butler 1. Anth Carr Subs Alan Ainsley, Chris Pike, Chris Leese, Colin Cheslin and James Sanders