Caldy 41 - Westoe 39
Mar
WESTOE let victory slip through their fingers in a humdinger of a game.
This was an enthralling all-action clash in which they clung onto their lead until just before the final whistle when Caldy scored under the posts, a routine conversion ion settling matters to the delight of a rapt home crowd
Nobody would deny Caldy credit for a stirring fight-back, but there is bound to be soul searching in the Shieldsmen’s camp and an inquest into how their normally rock like rearguard crumbled to leak four second half tries that turned the game on its head.
This was by some measure the worst damage inflicted on what remains the best defensive record in National 2 North.
It was Westoe’s fourth defeat in the 21 games of the league campaign so far and meant that Leicester Lions, who gave Rugby Lions a 57-7 mauling, have leap-frogged over them into second top spot.
Loughborough Students, who narrowly won 25-18 at Hull, also gained ground on them in the race for the runners-up place and with it the play-off chance of promotion - the Fylde juggernaut seeming now to have the title and automatic elevation firmly in its clutches.
Westoe had the better of things before the interval when flanker Jonathon Okwe-Pearson, celebrating his 27th birthday, was driven over twice and nimble centre James Clark dodged and weaved his way from beyond the 22 to touch down beside the posts.
Fly half Mark Bedworth converting all three tries together with two penalties to give his side a solid-looking 27-10 lead at the break - full back Andrew Soutar having gone over for Caldy with number 10 Richard Vasey converting and also kicking a penalty.
The only cloud in Westoe’s sky was a leg injury that compelled much-talented flanker Aaron Myers to limp off in just the second minute. The prognosis is anxiously awaited.
Although Caldy flanker Adam Aigbokhae scored soon after the resumption, a sure-handed attack enabled Westoe prop and captain Gareth Nesbit to dart over within minutes to restore the 17-point lead.
That was when things went awry for the visitors with Caldy’s strong and lively backs, who had sorely taxed the Westoe defence, finally overwhelming it.
In the 54th minute a break down the blind side from a 22m scrum enabled overlap winger Ross Craig to touch down. And soon after, incessant pressure brought a penalty try, Vasey making it four out of four conversions as well as kicking another penalty to level scores at 34 points apiece.
At last, Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe fought back and flanker Joe Maw went over beside the right corner flag, Bedworth’s kick from the edge hitting a post - as had his penalty attempt a little earlier.
On such things can results depend. For when, with three minutes remaining, winger Craig Ross spurting over to again level matters ,Vasey’s cultured left foot brought his side victory..
It had been a fast, furious and thoroughly entertaining game replete with thrusting open play and robust tackling and both sides deserved the applause they received as they left the field.
Westoe’s director of rugby Andy Howells said: “The injury to Myers was a big blow but it was a very fine game and we did come away with two bonus points which not many teams will do here.
“While we did some good things, we also did some bad things and at times I thought our attitude was not 100 per cent. This is something we will have to talk about and work on in training.”
*The Seconds fought back spiritedly from a 14-5 half time deficit to beat Gateshead 38-14 with flanker Haydn Richards scoring a hat-trick of tries in their Candy League clash at Wood Terrace. Other tries were scored by full back Jack Hope, centre Mark Olugbode and hooker Grant Walker with four conversions.
*The Colts were beaten 44-27 in their under-18 league match at Billingham in a breezy to-and-fro game which was much more evenly fought than the score suggests.
For Westoe, tries were scored by centres Joe McKenzie (two) and Lewis Eglintine, with fly half Jordan Carey converting all three as well as kicking a drop goal and penalty.
*The Thirds’ Durham Junior League game against visitors Darlington Mowden Park was postponed because their opponents could not raise a side.
