Westoe 31 - Hull 19
Mar
STERN words were spoken after Westoe’s wretched defeat at lowly Nuneaton and manifestly they were heeded (writes Clive Crickmer).
In vivid contrast to that error-strewn performance a fortnight earlier - the Saturday between, it will be remembered, being vacant to avoid Loughborough Students having the sulks - this was clinical efficiency based on strength and fitness with flair and deftness thrown in.
Hull are a big and powerful side who know their stuff and are worth better than their mid-league place. But they were brought down by crunching tackles while conceding five tries, three being the product of the Shieldsmen’s fleet and sure-handed open play.
Flyde marched on at the head of National 2 North with a 55-29 victory against visitors Caldy but second-top Westoe’s own promotion ambitions remain alive and well with this, their 17th win in 20 games plus a bonus point.
A most encouraging feature of the game was the important part played by a teenage trio. Flanker Joe Maw had, of course, already won his spurs though the names on the programme of full back Scott Jordan and right winger Bradley Pears in the starting 15 would have puzzled most supporters.
But they will remember them now, for sure, for the will o’ the wisp pair, often in liaison, were a constant two-pronged thorn in Hull’s hide. And they only got their chance because of the mounting number of cry-offs, almost all through injury.
So it was appropriate that player-coach Mark Bedworth, who helped develop their rugby skills as a sports master at Durham School, also played a blinder with two tries, three conversions and time and again frustrating the visitors with top class kicking from hand.
Afterwards captain Gareth Nesbit, now also part of the coaching team, said: “A lot of words were spoken before this game and obviously they had the right effect. It was a great team effort against opponents we knew would give us a hard and physical contest.
“So it was a big task for the young ones in particular and how well they stood up and delivered..”
It was Jordan who gave his side an early lead when, after a break by centre James Clark, he outflanked a bevy of defenders in a 30m spurt that ended beside the right corner flag. And on the half-hour flanker Jonathon Okwe-Pearson was driven over.
Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe’s defence had seemed impregnable and then shortly before half time there was a glaring lapse when Hull number 8 Oliver Cook picked up the ball from a 22m scrum and galloped over unmolested.
Soon after the resumption flanker Aaron Myers grabbed Hull’s overthrown lineout ball and his off-load enabled Bedworth to nimbly cut inside to score.
The hosts continued to press but in the 52nd minute winger Alex Piercy intercepted a pass deep in his own half and was too fast to be caught, fly half James Cameron converting his second try to put his team back in the game.
Thrusting forward play enabled lock Iain Robinson to touch down and so secure the bonus point and as time ebbed away a sure-handed attack ended with Bedworth settling matters under the posts.
In the last play of the game a lineout and drive brought Hull a consolation try when Rob Devonshire was powered over.
*The Seconds beat Billingham 38-34 in their Candy League clash at Harton Technical College in an enthralling game of very conflicting fortunes, the hosts going 28-0 ahead through four converted tries in the first quarter but conceded three late on stir them out of complacency.
Flying winger Daniel Rundle again provided the best moments with a typical 60m spurt down the right flank to score, other tries being coming from centre Grant Parkin (2), winger Chris Laycock, number 8 Ryan Foster and fly half Chris Hitchcock, who also kicked four conversions.
*The Thirds were beaten 17-13 in a hard-fought and fractious Durham Junior League game at Blyth, Westoe’s points coming from a drop goal by prop and captain Rob Scorer and a try by centre Mark Wilson, converted by full back Adam Baker who also kicked a penalty.
*Unable to raise a team, Northern called off their Under-18 League game against hosts Westoe Colts. It is hoped to rearrange it.
