Early mistakes costly for Westoe
WESTOE'S lately-acquired penchant for leaking early tries has kept the bright young sparks of English rugby in the hunt for the championship crown.
And as the tendency has now manifested itself in the last three National 2 North clashes on their home turf, the anguish of the players has been matched by the exasperation of their supporters.
First, Rugby Lions scored four converted tries in the first 24 minutes, though Gareth Nesbit's men fought back to snatch a memorable victory.
Then Caldy went 38-0 ahead inside half an hour, whereupon the Shieldsmen, though this with no hope of catching up, had by far the better of things.
And so it was again last night as a large and boisterous crowd was reduced to frustrated silence, when in the first five minutes the mobility and clever hands of the visitors' strapping backs enabled winger Edward Ralston and then centre Nathan Lambden to go over, fly-half George Drake converting the second.
Yet again, Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe came roaring back and, as the final scoreline reveals, they had reason enough to rue those early setbacks.
It was a result which means that the Students go into Saturday's last and deciding games after an enthralling three-team tussle vying with Macclesfield for the title, and with Caldy able to steal from them the runners-up spot and a play-off chance of promotion.
The Loughborough backs, with nimble scrum-half Henry Pyrgos in influential form and Drake's skilful kicking from hand a tactical plus, were a constant menace, but a reconstituted and tough-tackling Westoe were now able to curb them.
And their forwards creaked under pressure from a robust and street-wise pack which has played so potent a role in achieving for their team a meritorious sixth-top spot in their first season at this level.
In the 11th minute, loose head prop Nesbit launched his side's fightback when he touched down after a push from a penalty kick line-out, fly-half Charlie Rayner converting splendidly from far out on the right.
And deep into first half stoppage time, with the visitors now very much on the back foot, a succession of drives ended with flanker Michael Ellery touching down, giving Rayner a routine conversion and his team a 14-12 lead at the interval.
Westoe remained in control and went further ahead when tight head prop Raymie Elliott was driven over, but then a Drake penalty reduced arrears before what had always seemed probable happened.
A multiphase attack featuring those menacing, sure-handed backs saw the ball spun to replacement winger Fred Silcock, who sped down the right flank to at last pierce a resolute defence, Drake making it seven points, and winning the game.
Westoe have cause to kick themselves for again allowing opponents to grab an early advantage, but it was an entertaining contest which ended a memorable season, the final and inconsequential fixture at Preston Grasshoppers having being abandoned.
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Weather for Jarrow
Thursday 09 February 2012
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