The wind swept down the pitch from the gasometer end and the deluge didn't let up until midway through the second half. Bridlington played to their strength, which was keeping it in the pack, and not once in the whole game did they manage to break the West back line.
They did take score the first try of the game in the twelfth minute when they battled into the wind, and managed to get over the line with all 15 players committed to a maul. Our backs opted not to support their forwards in the hope that a turnover ball would give them the easiest try possible.
Home full back John Bickerdyke missed the conversion with the try credited to prop Michael Harrison Junior, although it could have been his dad Michael Harrison Senior who was propping alongside him.
West had already gone into a six point lead courtesy of two long range penalties from Davy Tighe who coolly slid his kicks up into the teeth of the gale and let the Atlantic low do the rest. The first penalty came after Andrew Hare was bundled out into touch and then received a kick from fly half Jamie Muru for his trouble.
Muru was again at the centre of attention on the half hour when Stu Bennett tangled with him on the home 22. Referee Tudor Griffiths was oblivious to the brawl which followed. Instead, the only casualty was the unlucky Chocky who kept out of the mass brawl but was sin binned for suggesting to Mr Griffiths that he should get his act together. use
Davies joined Davy Tighe in the bin. Our stand off for the day had reacted to flanker Mark Oliver after a late tackle which Mr Griffiths gave but then reversed because of Tighe's reaction.
Down to 13 men we had failed to make the most of the elements and the prospect of Bridlington’s pack trundling down the slope, with the wind and rain behind them, had the home supporters anticipating another home victory.
But we changed our tactics and picked and drove their way repeatedly into the opponents half. Kicking just wasn't an option and the backs frequently crossed the gain line. On 45 minutes Bennett started the best move of the match when he made fully 20 yards from his own 22. Skipper Tim Sawyer, Henry Tones and Anthony Carr all took turns in driving forward all the way to the edge of their opponents 22.
The drive was the turning point of the game with Bridlington looking increasingly tired. Bennett hurt his rubs in the attack and was replaced by Phil Gilbraith who went on to have his best game for some time.
Home skipper Neil Richardson was sent to the bin on 50 for a high tackle on Steve Black and we tried to force home the advantage while he was off the field. We camped on the home line with a series of set pieces but, in the end, Bickerdyke only just managed to clear from deep in the dead ball area Tones bore down on him.
Bridlington went into the lead for the first time on 62 minutes when Bickerdyke kicked a 47 metre penalty after West's forwards handled on the floor but it was West who came back three minutes later. This time the pressure on the line saw the forwards drive over and it was Tim Sawyer who touched down to give us an 11-8 lead... Tighe's kick was narrowly wide.
Referee Griffiths was exerting his authority at every opportunity making for a staccato game. He sin binned home scrum half Neil Arton after issuing a warning that the next player who handled on the floor would be yellow carded. Arton questioned the decision after the game in Mr Griffith’s dressing room and was red carded for his cheek.
Incidentally I can’t remember Mr Griffiths giving one offside against either side which must be some kind of record.
Arton had returned after his first altercation to see his side draw level. On 76 minutes Anth Carr was judged to have come into a maul from the side and Bickerdyke took the opportunity from 35 metres out and straight in front of the posts.
In the conditions a draw may have been a fair result but we can take great heart from sticking to the running game even in these conditions.
Bridlington: John Bickerdyke, Adam Thomas, Jonty Tinsley, Gareth Payne, Ryan Kerr, Jamie Muru, Neil Arton, Mark Floyd, Michael Harrison Jnr, Michael Harrison Snr., Rob Waller, Andy Smith, Paul Hamer, Mark Oliver, Neil Richardson
West: Martin Todd, Steve Black, Peter Hodgson, Allan Milne, Andrew Hare, Davy Tighe, Darren Thomas, Anthony Carr, Tim sawyer, Brett Cullinane, Carl Miller, Andrew Davies, Paul Rudd, Henry Tones, Stuart Bennett [Phil Gilbraith 45]