Westoe hammer Hull to move up to fifth in league
FORGIVE Westoe a few follies and fumbles, this was a fine team victory over opponents far better than the scoreline suggests, writes CLIVE CRICKMER.
They were lucky not to be punished for some missed tackles, but deserve immense credit overall for keeping at bay strong, fleet and imaginative backs who were fed the ball at every opportunity.
And although some good scoring opportunities were spoilt by poor handling, the Shieldsmen got the four-try bonus point for the 13th time this season – and every touchdown was a reward for clever and concerted play.
Though acknowledging the lapses, director of rugby Andy Howells enthused: "We played some very good and intelligent rugby, which showed how this side has now gelled.
"There was great understanding, which produced some splendid passages of play."
The outcome is that Westoe have leapfrogged into fifth top spot in National 2 North over Hull, who were held to a 20-20 draw by lowly visitors Huddersfield, while defeat has added to the relegation anxieties of fifth-bottom Ionians.
The heavy conditions contributed to some scrappy early play and the game only came to life on the quarter-hour shortly after fly-half Charlie Rayner had slotted home a 30-metre penalty to put the hosts ahead.
A free-wheeling attack on the right flank sent the ball spinning across the backs to winger Chris Clark, whose dive over beside the left corner flag an instant before the tackle brought him his 10th try of the campaign.
Five minutes later, Rayner kicked a second penalty to give his side an 11 points lead, whereupon Ionians came fighting back to produce their best rugby of the game.
But Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe's rearguard stood firmly, and all the visitors had to show for their endeavours was a penalty shortly before the interval by fly-half James Ferguson.
With the Wood Terrace slope in their favour after the interval, Gareth Nesbit's men tightened their grip on the game, and pretty well sealed their 13th victory of the campaign with two tries within three minutes midway through the second half.
The Shieldsmen completed a well-deserved win when effervescent flanker Aaron Myers darted over with just minutes remaining to clinch the bonus point.
The Seconds were beaten 22-11 in their Candy League match at Middlesbrough.
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Weather for Jarrow
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
