Westoe must bounce back from battering
HARDLY for the first time in this topsy-turvy campaign, Westoe must pick themselves up, dust themselves down and get stuck in again, writes CLIVE CRICKMER.
For sure, the 58-21 hammering by championship-chasing Macclesfield on Saturday will have hurt – especially for David Haswell and Tom Burnham whose seasons ended abruptly and painfully in a casualty ward.
But the Shieldsmen have shown they can bounce back from adversity.
Defeat in their first three games at national level was followed by a stunning fightback victory over hosts Loughborough Students, who have lost only two other matches since and now top the table as they battle it out with Macclesfield and Caldy for the crown.
A week after their previous heaviest defeat, a 46-5 trouncing at Leicester Lions, they turned on the style to vanquish visitors Fylde 43-21 with a masterly six-try display of fleet, open rugby.
And an ignoble 37-8 hammering by second bottom Bradford and Bingley preceded a 20-17 home victory when only the sternest of defences withstood an impressive Leicester Lions assault.
Indeed, throughout this National 2 North campaign, now with just four games remaining, Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe have been predictable only in their unpredictability.
But a sixth-top spot suggests they have got more things right than wrong.
However, Gareth Nesbit's men have a tough run-in before they can relax after a gruelling programme, extended to 30 games for the first time this season, which most people regard as too long and which is currently under review.
While there is ample cover for the hard-working flanker Burnham, who dislocated an elbow just after half time, there is no real replacement for the know-how in the backs of Haswell, whose arm was broken in the ninth minute.
The squad, however, seems in good order for tomorrow's clash with visitors Rugby Lions.
Twins Chris and James Clark, Peter Phelan, lock Iain Robinson and flanker Hayden Richards are back on duty.
Nesbit does not go in for excuses but, in mitigation for the Macclesfield beating, pointed to the disruption to his side caused by the absentees and compounded by the injuries, full-back Dan Rayson also limping off with a knee problem, now cleared up.
He said: "We finished with six or seven players out of position. We had four props in the pack with a lock in the back row and forwards in the backs. You just stand no chance like that at this level, especially against a top team on their own ground.
"But, even so, it's easy to just look at the scoreline and miss the bigger picture. There were good aspects to be found in that game.
"Our work-rate did not falter and young Matthew Mellish put in a fine performance on the wing in his first start in the team, while James Walker – who scored one try and played a big part in a second – has really made his mark since his return to the side, and Chris Judson is in wonderful form.
"Now we must put that defeat behind us and take the positives into the rest of the season."
There will also be a cup final buzz about Wood Terrace this weekend.
Derek Tighe's Third XV – seeking their sixth Durham County Cup triumph in seven seasons – face Gateshead at Ashbrook tomorrow, and the Colts hope to bring home the county's Under-18 trophy from Blaydon where they meet fellow finalists Consett.
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Weather for Jarrow
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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