Westoe 20 - Huddersfield 14
Mar
WESTOE stuck doggedly to their task to keep promotion ambitions buoyant (writes Clive Crickmer).
Their 18th win in the 22 games so far meant they stole second top spot in National 2 North from Leicester Lions who were narrowly beaten 25-24 by hosts Hull Ionians.
Huddersfield came to town with a history of closely-fought encounters with the Shieldsmen which were ruggedly gritty rather than pretty - and so it transpired yet again.
Both sides defended stoutly, Gareth Nesbit’s men doing especially well to restrain big and mobile backs and limit their opponents, who had plenty of possession, to a solitary unconverted try while running in three themselves.
It was Westoe’s conspicuous superiority in the scrums that was the key to victory, though director of rugby Andy Howells will be disappointed that with pitches now firm underfoot there were only flashes of the exciting open play of which his side is eminently capable.
Frustration, too, that they got over the line three times only for a try to be disallowed, so denying them a bonus point.
It was Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe who set the pace, going ahead with an early penalty by fly half Mark Bedworth who then converted a try by full back Scott Jordan who had touched down after the ball had sped across the backs from a scrum.
Ironically, it was the visitors’ first meaningful attack in the 22nd minute that brought their hosts a second, and exhilarating, try.
Pressing strongly inside the 22, a stifled pass was grabbed by centre David Haswell whose clearance caught the Tykes on the back foot, the ball being gathered at full tilt by winger Gareth Kerr and, via lock Jonathon Okwe-Pearson and flanker Aaron Myers who had sprinted in support, reached Bedworth who finished the job.
Huddersfield responded with spirit and a try soon after when winger Simon Pratt rounded off a fine cross-field attack was followed by a penalty by fly half Chris Johnson and meant they reached the interval 15-8 down but in the ascendancy.
They continued to have the better of things and a 62nd minute penalty by Johnson narrowed the gap, though the tide turned when replacement lock Andrew Kirton stole a lineout ball with his first touch and was driven deep into enemy territory.
The home team pack now took charge, piling on the pressure until in the 73rd minute a scrum clinically barged its way over, number 8 Ben Morris grounding the ball.
In the dying minutes Johnson kicked his third penalty to earn his side a bonus point they fully deserved.
Howells said afterwards: “While it was a scrappy game we deserve credit for sticking at it and coming away with the win we knew we must have.”
A dark cloud, however, concerns the livewire Myers who limped off in the 66th minute after apparently aggravating an ankle tendon injury that had kept him out of the previous game at Hull Ionians.
*A youthful Second XV fought with spirit against big and streetwise opponents in a friendly match at Horden but were beaten 13-5, their try being scored by full back Tom Shields.
Development coach Ian Etchells said: “They tackled their hearts out in what was a very commendable defensive performance.”
*The Thirds were unable to find cohesion in an error-strewn display and were beaten 43-26 in their Durham Junior League game at Bishop Auckland.
*The Colts beat hosts Wigton 17-10 in a fast-flowing and entertaining Under-18 League clash. Tries were scored by winger Danny Fada (two) and centre Joe McKenzie with fly half Jordan Carey, who had a fine game, kicking a conversion.
