Westoe 26 - Leicester Lions 15
Feb
THIS was a hard grafted victory in which Westoe’s character was sorely tested and not found wanting (writes Clive Crickmer).
Both sides, rival contenders for promotion from National 2 North, deserve the highest praise for a stirring, high quality contest on a quagmire pitch on which hardly a blade of grass was to be found.
This did not degenerate into a brawny and tedious tussle of the forwards which, so cloying were conditions underfoot, it might so easily have done - though the first two of Westoe’s four tries did come from pack power.
Instead, there was plenty of fleet and sure-handed open play which on such a mud bath was remarkable.
The Lions, sharing third place with Loughborough Students, came as one of only two teams to have so far beaten the second top Shieldsmen and there was no doubt they were a very efficient all round unit.
The slippery surface meant that the benefit of playing down the Wood Terrace slope was going to be much enhanced and inevitably it became a game of two halves.
Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe took advantage of it to score three tries and so reach half-time with a 21-3 lead that turned out to be crucial and then defend like zealots to withstand almost incessant pressure.
Leaders Fylde comfortably beat visitors Nuneaton 35-5 and the Students had a much harder fought 34-26 win at home to Harrogate to remain just two points adrift of Gareth Nesbit’s men.
It was a superb long-distance kick by fly half Mark Bedworth into touch well inside the Leicester 22 just seconds after the start that led to Westoe’s first try.
Winning the lineout, they drove over the try line but were unable to ground the ball, though from the resulting 5 metre scrum the pack powered its way over again and this time number 8 Ben Morris made no mistake.
Westoe continued to dominate and Morris bagged a second drive over try in the 29th minute after which Leicester fought back with centre John Bowden opened their account with a penalty.
With the interval looming, centre David Haswell, in the best move of the game, seemed to catch the defence off guard as he weaved his way along the left flank and then, after a clever interchange of passes with lock Iain Robinson, sped over - Bedworth completing a hat trick of conversions.
The Lions came out with teeth bared and it was cruel irony that a spectacular attack just after the restart resulted in Bedworth turning the tables to score what turned out to be the decisive try as well as winning his side the bonus point.
Only a super tackle had prevented winger Scott Morris going over after a 35 metre spurt by full back Gareth Collins, but in the resulting melee Bedworth intercepted and ran three-quarters of the length of the field to score.
Thereafter, it was pretty well all Leicester but the Westoe blockade was only breached after a hour when a series of pick-and-drive mauls finally thrust lock Tom Chaney over.
When the admirable Collins grabbed a loose ball from the air to dart over two minutes before the final whistle a Westoe win was already in the bag.
Director of rugby Andy Howells praised both teams for a “cracking” game in difficult conditions, adding: “I was impressed by the way we fronted them up in the second half when we were under so much pressure. The entire squad pulled their weight to make it a much-needed five-point result.”
*Blaydon Seconds levelled the score at 21-21 with a converted try in the last minute to rob Westoe of a well-deserved win in their Candy League clash on Harton Technical College’s all-weather pitch.
Development coach Ian Etchells said: “I was very pleased with their commitment against strong opponents and how often we turned over their ball. The result was disappointing as we were the better side for most of the game.”
Tries for Westoe were scored by scrum half Joe Trott and prop Jordan McKay with fly half Chris Hitchcock kicking three penalties and a conversion.
*The Colts played with plenty of spirit but were beaten 28-0 - two converted tries in each half - in the National Under-19 Cup by a big and well-drilled Bedford Blues side who are favourites to win the trophy.
Team manager Raymond Bays said: “They showed plenty of bottle and never stopped trying. I am proud of them and they can hold their heads high.”
The game was switched to Jarrovians’ Lukes Lane ground because rain had made Wood Terrace unplayable. Chairman Duncan Murray said: “Again they have shown what good neighbours they are.”
