Westoe weekend preview
Apr
THEIR promotion dream having now ended, Westoe go into action on Saturday in pursuit of another prize.
They play Darlington, who they have already beaten three times this season, in the final of the Durham Senior Cup, which before priorities changed with the birth of league rugby 20 years ago was the trophy that clubs throughout the county eagerly contested.
There will still those of a certain age who recall excitement generated when Westoe reached to final no less than eight times in the decade from 1949 - winning it three times - when double deck buses lined up along the length of Wood Terrace and Hartington Terrace to take supporters to the game.
How times changed. Because of mounting disinterest, the Durham RFU decided in 2001 that only the eight top clubs of their choosing would compete, yet even then teams withdrew. not wanting to risk injuries to players and so retard league prospects.
This is the second year that that figure has been reduced to a derisory four which meant that the first round was the semi-final.
And to tarnish the trophy’s reputation still more, National League clubs Mowden Park and Blaydon fielded sides so weakened they were walloped, respectively, 46-5 by Westoe and 51-12 by fellow North One side Darlington.
It is to be hoped that such humiliating defeats which were surely born of at least an element of arrogance has left the victims smarting.
With the competition dating back to 1881 when Sunderland beat Houghton by three tries to nil - Westoe were losing finalists the following year when Houghton scored the only try of the game - it is surely still a cup worth the fight for its traditions alone.
But this year there is a very considerable bonus for the winner - a place in next season’s EDF Energy National Trophy which apart from its prestige also has the scope for financial rewards which could yield an important boost to the Shieldsmen’s fragile finances.
Because of their lofty status, Blaydon and Mowden Park qualify automatically, and so for them it was not a consideration.
John Tighe, chairman of Beacon Electrical (NE) Ltd-sponsored Westoe, appealed to supporters to make the trip to Hartlepool’s Mayfield Park ground for tomorrow’s clash (kick-off 3pm) to cheer on Gareth Nesbit’s men who battled so valiantly but narrowly missed out on a play-off chance of promotion despite winning their last eight matches..
He said: “We have a first team squad to be immensely proud of and which in recent seasons has brought great credit to the club and provided its followers with a feast of rugby at a level probably never achieved before in its long history.
“This cup final is an opportunity for club members and followers to show their appreciation by getting behind the team and letting the players know loud and clear that they are there for them.”
The venue will be better known to many as that of Hartlepool Old Boys, as the club was previously known, and with a plethora of rugby clubs in the town there has been some confusion.
Direction are straightforward. Supporters should leave the A19 at the junction just north of the town and follow the A179 over two roundabouts and turn right along it at the third along Easington Road. Mayfield Park is 500m along on the left.
Darlington, demoted from National Three, were well beaten 32-8 at home by Westoe at the start of the season in a play-off for a place in the Nation Trophy in which Westoe also conquered National Three sides West Park St Helens and Fylde hosts Richmond won a hard-fought game 20-10.
Westoe also had the better of Darlington in both league games, by 10-8 in a scrappy contest away from home and then 17-6 as hosts, and must be regarded as firm favourites tomorrow against opponents with relegation worries in fourth bottom spot.
Though Nesbit rates his present squad as the strongest in his four years at the helm, he disregards such assessments. He said: “Any team is capable of beating any other team at our level. We want to take something from the season and you can bet the boys will be giving their all to win this one.”
Sunderland have kindly agreed to kick-off their Candy League match against the Seconds at Ashbrook at noon so that the Shieldsmen can make it to the final.
Stay-at-home supporters can watch the Colts play an Under-18 league League match against Alnwick at Wood Terrace (KO 3pm).
