WESTOE will bring in former Newcastle Falcon Andy Perry in an attempt to stop the rot which has seen them lose the last five games in the row.
The 39-year-old second row, who last turned out for the Falcons in 2009, will join up with his new teammates this week and it comes after local rivals Billingham added to the misery for the JML-sponsored side.
Joe McKenzie got their only score in a 26-5 defeat but the result does little to show how close the game actually was. Westoe were in this game for long periods but the result left Director of Rugby Andy Howells visibly disappointed at the final whistle.
He said: “We just couldn't turn pressure into points. We struggled at times, the boys worked hard but we just can't turn pressure into points and until we start doing that we'll have to see where we go. “We used the wrong pass at times, going for the miss pass rather than going through the hands. If we done that then who knows but we've got to fight on and get it sorted. I'm not happy but we've got to do what we've got to do.”
They were handed a boost prior to the kick off when Jordan Carey was declared fit. But despite starting on the front foot it was Billingham who got the first score when Luke Wilson sidestepped over the line.
McKenzie brought Westoe back into it when he finished off a wonderful catch and drive move. They finished the half with a man in the sin-bin and started the second period that way too. And with seconds remaining on the yellow Billingham scored their second through Chris Hyndman. Their third came six minutes later with Wilson again but it signalled the start of a purple period for Westoe.
Reggie Fassa went close among others but despite plenty of possession and some well worked phase play they couldn't cross the whitewash again.
And it was Billingham who closed out the scoring when after a series of fumbles on the Westoe Line Craig Shepherd finally scored.
Howells knew his side had performed well for long periods but he was also only too well aware our their limitations. He said: “You can only defend for so long and that's the trouble. We're within five, ten metres of their tryline, banging, banging, banging. But then we turn it over and they come the length of the field. It's just demoralising for the team. “I just think we're probably two players away from being a decent side. So we've got to find those two players.”
The defeat leaves Westoe rooted to the foot of the table and Howells knows there is hardwork ahead.
“We're in a scrap and we go from there,” he admitted.
There wasn't any better news from back on Tyneside as the seconds lost 27-6 to their Billingham counterparts.