IT is a statistic that puts a satisfied smile on the face of Westoe’s director of rugby Andy Howells (writes Clive Crickmer).
In the ten National 2 North games so far - of which his side has triumphed in all but one -47 tries have been scored and only 12 conceded.
Three of those were scored by visitors Hull Ionians in the second clash of the campaign in which the Shieldsmen scraped through 20-19 thanks to new player-coach Mark Bedworth’s gifted right foot.
Ever since, their defensive tenacity and resourcefulness has been the solid foundation of their ongoing success and only leaders Loughborough Students can slightly better the meagre 129 points they have leaked.
It was never more severely tested that at Hull a fortnight ago when the home team spent most of the second half pounding the Westoe line, but the solitary try they scored could not prevent the visitors returning to Tyneside with the four points in the bag.
On Saturday, the best attacking efforts of a big, strong and dangerous Caldy side were snuffed out and they had only fly half Richard Vasey‘s four penalties to show for their endeavours, while Gareth Nersbit‘s men went on a seven-try rampage.
That superb 50-12 win against the rugby kingpins of the Wirral is one that will have resonated throughout the division and compensated much for the club being stripped of five points earlier in the week for a minor registration blunder for which it was not wholly to blame.
It just goes to show how times have changed.
Supporters will need no reminding of their exasperation last season - Westoe’s first in English rugby’s upper echelons - as games were lost early on as opponents were able to burst though before the Shieldsmen got their defensive act together.
Loughborough, Caldy and Macclesfield all cashed in like that in front of a glum home crowd as the trio fought it out for the championship crown.
Even a thrilling 38-35 win at Wood Terrace against Rugby Lions only came after the visitors had scored four tries in the first 24 minutes.
So there was a deflated feeling of déjà vu after a no-holds-barred pre-season game against Edinburgh-based Scottish Premiership side Heriot’s who owed their 31-17 victory to lapses that brought them three tries.
After that Howells told me: “We simply must prevent opponents breaking through down the middle.”
That has manifestly been achieved and so Andy along with his new coaching regime comprising Bedworth, who arrived from Wharfedale, and ex-Newcastle Falcons lock Andy Buist aided by Nesbit, should take a collective bow and be given the credit they deserve.
Howells, though, stresses that it is a two-way affair. He said: “The new coaches have made a big difference but it also needed the players to respond to them and that they have done splendidly.”
Tomorrow the Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe, in fourth top spot, head for Huddersfield whose Lockwood Park ground has seen some epic clashes between the two teams.
Good news is that mighty lock Paul Bird has shaken off a foot injury much sooner than expected after missing one game only and is expected to begin on the bench.
As expected, Miles Scott’s twisted ankle has recovered which is fortuitous as new boy Ben Morris from Otley, who took over his numer 8 jersey with credit, is absent on county duty for Yorkshire.
Missing from the line-up is scrum half Matthew Mellish, 18, ex-Falcons junior academy player who has won North of England under-18 honors. Making his first XV debut late last season, he has been a regular squad member this term but has now signed for Blaydon.
Travelling supporters should remember that all games at Huddersfield, where there is excellent floodlighting, start at 3pm.
Those who stay at home can watch the Colts in action at Wood Terrace in an Under-18 League game against Morpeth.