Westoe 17 - Heriots 41
Sep
THIS was the robust, no nonsense clash that Westoe wanted and needed to help prepare them for the National 2 North rigours ahead.
Their Edinburgh-based Scottish Premiership opponents deserved victory in this sometimes rather rancorous pre-season friendly although the score line was perhaps a mite flattering.
Mark Bedworth, part of the new coaching set-up at Wood Terrace who showed his skills at both handling and kicking at fly half, declared himself well pleased with his side’s performance. He said: “We had set ourselves a number of targets for this game which we achieved and in some respects bettered.”
A worrying aspect, however, was the slack tackling - all too familiar in the Shieldsmen’s baptismal foray in English rugby’s upper echelon last season - which was the difference between two otherwise well matched sides.
Three times the Scotsmen broke through the backs to score and, as so often in the past, Gareth Nesbit’s men shored up their defensive game only after the damage had been done.
But the forwards were always equal to the task against an experienced and powerful pack, the maul from a lineout way outside the 22 that propelled flanker Ryan Foster over in the 72nd minute was of the vintage stuff that has been such a major factor in Westoe’s ascent to national level.
And the speed and verve of new recruits Tommy Banks and Iain Dixon gave promise of good moments ahead while James Clark, scorer of 12 tries last term, demonstrated that his sparkle is undiminished.
The visitors went ahead in the ninth minute when pressure on the hosts’ goal line ended with prop Scott Burnett being driven over and soon after came a defensive lapse which enabled flanker Peter Eccles to touch down.
Westoe fought back with spirit, Miles Scott, who had a splendid game in the number 8 jersey, squirming his way over before lock Iain Robinson finished off a fine, thrusting attack down right flank to score - scrum half’ Matthew Mellish’s conversion putting his team ahead.
It was short lived, for Max Learmonth capitalized on that defensive frailty by touching down either side of the interval, the first try after a terrific spurt from the half-way line by fellow centre Greg Walker and both converted by scrum half Graham Wilson.
Thereafter, Westoe tackling was far more positive and Foster’s touch down gave a glimmer of hope, stifled by a well worked try in the dying minutes by full back Glenn Bryce.
By courtest of Jarrovians, the game was played on their Luke Lane ground where pre-season training is also being held while cricket is being played at Wood Terrace. Chairman Duncan Murray said: “Jarrovians have been real friends in need and we are very grateful.”
The Second Development XV will also play a friendly on the ground against Consett on Thursday evening, probably kick off at 6.30pm.
