One unexpected change in the starting line-up was Anth Carr continuing at 2nd row with Chocky coming in at 6 for Garse. West were on the attack almost from the off but it was immediately clear that handling errors were going to be a feature of the game. We were duely rewarded on 9 minutes with a penalty on the 22, straight in front from Wallis. 3-0.
Redcar bounced back and had most of the play for the next ten minutes. The West scrum was going wrong, ball bouncing around all over the place and allowing Redcar to keep pressing even after knocking-on. However a penalty for pretty heavy rucking on Tones allowed Wallis to clear - aided by a brisk wind at his back.

West extended the lead on 20 minutes following a scrum on the 22. Bennett picked up, fed Dash who gave Black the chance on the outside and he made no mistake, going in pretty much untouched. Wallis made the tough conversion. 10-0.
West should have gone even further infront a few minutes later. A Redcar backs move ended with JC throwing a wild pass, Panda was able to hack on and won the footrace but as he tried to pick up 5 meters out the ball wouldnt sit up and after a scramble Redcar managed to touch down for a 22 drop-out.

The rest of the first half was dominated by more handling errors and West lost Black to a groin injury. Paul Miller replacing him.
Half Time 10-0.

West started the second half much like the first but Wallis' penalty from the left went wide on 46 minutes. Redcar got back on the offensive and from a series of rolling mauls and a scrum were kept out by outstanding West defence. Wallis was eventually able to clear and Redcar lost hooker Challenor to the sin bin when he came in wildly to the side of a ruck.
Redcar did have the chance to pull back into the game with a penalty right of the posts on the 22 but it went way left.

West were to go even further in front on 63 minutes, this time against the run of play. For once the Redcar scrum was under pressure and as it was shifted to the backs the ball was dropped Allan managing to pick up and run the 40 meters to score under the posts, with even time to salute the crowd as he went over! Wallis slotted the simple conversion to make it 17-0.

The score seemed to seal the game for West but Redcar came back bravely again. Following a penalty and kick to the corner on 70 minutes they got a maul going. As it came to a halt someone broke from the back to go over. The conversion was missed. 17-5

West had made two changes, Chummers and Miller being replaced by Garse and Gez. What followed in the last 5 minutes would be the portion of the game West would want to forget. Redcar came back on the offensive and West gave away a couple of penalties. What followed was a series of dubious penalties to Redcar allowing them chance after chance to get another try. It looked like all the effort would be in vain but every time the move broke down the ref came back for another penalty, half of the signals being given a mystery everyone on the touchline. Eventually the ref got what he wanted a further try for Redcar which was converted. I think he must have been on the prediction league with a 17-12 scoreline!! Full time followed the conversion.

On the whole I think West can be satisfied with the win but the defensive work didn't deserve to let in 12 points. We seemed in control and while we weren't always on top I always got the feel we were much the better side, especially in the backs. That said, I still think we can play better but it seems we now have the winning habit and can close out these games even when not on top form.

Well played to everyone, wasn't really a bad performance to pick out. Blackie was very lively till he had to go off and the forwards worked tirelessly against a bigger unit.