Rovers 17 - Westoe 15

Team: B.Little, O.Dakers, L.Saunders, D.Baxter, A.Pinchen, M.Lidster, S.McGuire, J.Fleet, M.Stephenson, D.Fawcett, I.Gallagher, B.Durrans, J.Mashhedar, A.Smith, D.Thomas, M.Saunders, S.Buttery, T.Peltzer, S.Railton, M.Railton

Westoe are one of the favourites to go up this season and started very strong taking a penalty for offside in the first minute, 0 – 3.

Rovers started to get on level terms with good runs from Ben Little and great to have Andrew Pinchen back who started to show his class taking any amount of ball at the front of the line.

A scrum on the visiting 22m line was quickly passed across the back line and Ben Durrans drew his man well then fed Dillon Thomas who ran a great line at pace to go through for a try, converted by Daz, 7 – 3, 8mins.

Westoe came back out blazing and forced Rovers back onto their line but the defence held stong winning two 5m scrums against the head to go clear of danger.

The game was evenly matched again but Rovers were conceding far to many penalties for silly mistakes. Squid came off for Randy after 20 mins and Taz came on for Matty.

Rovers continued to win good ball and although they were running it a lot more than usual, too much possession was being kicked back to the Westoe back-line who looked very dangerous counter-attacking.

More solid scrummaging pushed the Westoe pack over their own line but instead of a number 8 pick-up the ball was pass out to Mash who used his formidable bulk to barge over. Daz converted again to take the score to a healthy 14 – 3 lead after 25 mins.

The score remained the same until half time with little to talk about except how Gerry managed to get through such a small gap in the fence (well done Gerry, rather you than me).

Westoe started the second half as they had the first, pressurising the home line and fast hands out saw the winger go in at the corner. The conversion was missed, 14 – 8, 45 mins. Matty and Taz switched again and Squid came back on for Randy.

Rovers were trying to pick the pace up and started to win a bit of ruck ball but the Westoe pack were slowing the game down at every opportunity, unfortunately a tactic used by many in this league and a shame with such a good back line.

Mash missed a penalty then came off for Mick Railton after 55 mins but his contribution was much appreciated throughout the game. Rovers’ scrums had started to creak a little after losing Fin just before the break but young Matty Fin fought his way into the game.

Olly Dakers won yet another against the head but the referee deemed it was foot up. While the pack were looking for the video ref Westoe threw the ball along the backs for a very soft but well taken try. The kick went over to take the lead 15 – 17, 60 mins.

Fleety came off for Scott Buttery, Matty came off to give Taz a second spell and Randy came on again for Squid. After a bout of pressure with some poor tackling Rovers weathered the storm to get back up to the Westoe line so Daz could knock over a drop goal regaining the lead after 75 mins, 17 – 15.

The last 5 minutes were tense with both sides trying to keep possession but Rovers managed to hold on until the end.

A great team effort lads well done, easpecially Matty Lidster who had a great game on his debut. Also a big well done to Bax for collecting the subs.