First Quarter Penalties Cost Dearly

Three Yellow cards in 10 minutes.

South Shields Westoe travelled to West Hartlepool looking to reverse the close loss earlier in the season. Despite some strong attacking play they weren’t quite a match for the talented home side on the day.

Playing with a strong breeze in icy conditions, Westoe started well, pressurising the home side’s line; however Pool struck first with a tremendous break from the base of the scrum five metres from their own line. Finding no-one defending the close channels, Turner wove his way up-field and with good support from Youll, moved the ball all the way to Westoe’s try-line, a last gasp tackle forcing a knock-on.

Pool's pack pushed Westoe off the ball at the scrum with scrum-half Painter touching down for the early lead. 5-0

Westoe struck back immediately from the restart. Pool tried to run the ball out of their 22m into the breeze; however a spilled ball was scooped up by Sam Gaff who found Chris Judson on hand to cross after only seven minutes played to take the lead. 5-7

Westoe controlled the ball well and looked threatening at this stage; however ferocious defence, a string of seven penalties and three yellow cards in the first twenty minutes severely dampened their hopes.

Pool took advantage of the extra men and retook the lead after 18 minutes with another solid scrum setting up Painter for his second of the match, followed five minutes later with his third, again from the base. 17-7

Westoe came back with a John Younghusband intercept, almost making the home run, but dragged down short of the line. Westoe played the phases and Pool came offside conceding a penalty and a yellow card of their own. Converted, 17-10

With a couple of minutes in the half, Pool must have thought Christmas had come early, Painter picking from a defensive scrum and breaking blind to find no-one at home and a clear run, making 10 metres before any attempt was made to stop him. Westoe eventually made the tackle, but support from Rollins gave them their second ninety metre try. 24-10

Westoe reduced the score to eleven points with the last play of the half. HT 24-13

Now playing with the wind, many thought Pool were heading for a cricket score; however Westoe dug deep and battled against the elements and a buoyant home side.

With Westoe keeping the ball tight they drove constantly at the home team and were awarded a penalty with Pool receiving their second yellow of the day. A clean catch and drive was driven over with Raymie Elliott, starting his 300th league game, coming up with the ball and reducing the deficit to one score. 24-18

Pool hit back next with a text-book score, taking a quick free kick and simple transfer along the line finding Tennant in space. 29-18

Pool sealed the deal with ten left on the clock. A long clearance kick was poorly fielded by Westoe and the home side pounced and scored. 36-18

Westoe never gave up and turned to their driving maul which was collapsed a two metres short of the line, earning them a penalty try to end a difficult day. FT 36-25

Pool were deserved winners; however Westoe will be upset not to come away with at least a couple of bonus points in a match that was a little closer than the final score would suggest. Plaudits go to both sides who put on good displays in awful conditions, playing hard, yet fair, rugby

The high penalty count and yellow cards in the first quarter cost Westoe dearly and they will need to work hard to prevent this happening again. This should be an easy fix considering they only gave away one penalty in the final sixty minutes of play. Coupled with a little more awareness at the scrum, they could easily have come away with a different result.

Westoe remain in fifth spot; however they are still not out of the running and could easily force their way back into contention by the league end. This will need to start after the festivities when they face fourth spot side Stockton at Wood Terrace on January 5th.