West Stags 29 – Rovers Heughers 15

Team: D.CARROLL, O.DAKERS, M.TUCKER, D.HOGG, D.BAXTER, S.McGUIRE, S.RAILTON, C.TAYLOR, S.BUTTERY, D.FAWCETT, I.GALLAGHER, I.MULVILL, D.GREGORY, N.HARRISON, D.THOMAS, M.SAUNDERS, M.LIDSTER, M.BRAGMAN

The game couldn’t have started worse for Rovers with a forced pass falling to the West backs who easily made it 5 – 0 after only 40 seconds.

Instead of heads falling as in the last few matches, Rovers worked hard to get into the game with big hits from Daz, Dave Gregory and Hoggy. Daz missed a penalty after 5 minutes but the home defence knocked on. 3 close range scrums followed and the visiting pack applied immense pressure with Carrotts eventually crossing for a try that Daz converted, 5 – 7 after 8 minutes.

West hit back but a period of solid defence and good line kicking by Daz put Rovers back on the attack. A penalty for off-side gave Daz the opportunity to kick a penalty taking the score to 5 – 10 after 20 minutes.

West attacked again and although being under pressure up front their backs were very dangerous, quick ball followed by a simple jink in and out left the Rovers backs for dead to score in the corner, the kick was missed to put everything even at 10 – 10, 27 mins.

West had identified Rovers weakness and 3 minutes later a similar unconverted try was scored to take a 15 – 10 lead after 27 minutes.

Rovers’ forwards were continuing to cause the home pack problems making plenty of ground at close range from Chris Taylor, Carrotts and in particular the hard working Tucker. With good lineout ball from Hoggy and a very dominant scrum both sides were trying to play to their strengths.

A penalty on 37 minutes was kicked to the corner but was unluckily knocked on, maybe 3 points missed but well done for having the confidence to go for it.

For the second half Steve Railton went from the flank to wing and Matty Lidster came into the back row. West took control from the off and Rovers went through a 10 minute spell that effectively lost them the game. Half-hearted tackles and indecision similar to that of the Boro and Corbridge games crept in West took full advantage.

West attacked through the midfield from a 5 meter scrum followed by an off-load to the number 8 who was too strong to stop at close range, the kick was converted to increase their lead to 22 – 10 after 64 minutes.

Daz missed a penalty 2 minutes later then a great kick to the corner from the home number 9 was followed by a quick throw to score but the referee pulled them back to the correct position.

Rovers got their heads together and more good drives from Tucker and man of the match Hoggy put them back up field. A good kick took them close to the West line but the throw was unluckily not straight allowing West to clear from danger.

The scrums were going back for West forcing the number 8 to pick up but he was doing a great job and the Rovers back row were struggling to contain him. After 63 minutes, instead of going to ground he fed the scrum half who finished off in style to score in the corner.

Some spectators were bemused as to why the ref allowed the kick to be taken 5 meters in from touch when the ball was grounded in the corner and tempers rose when the ref agreed he was wrong and said “lets see if it makes a difference”, it did and a well struck kick took the score to 29 – 10. First rule of refereeing, never admit you are wrong!

Rovers still didn’t give up and drove up to the West line and captain Danny Baxter scored with an Ashton style dive, the referee whistled to give the try but somebody told him he had dived over the wrong line and was 5 meters short.

Chris Taylor showed Danny how to do it properly from the following scrum to pick up and drive over, Daz hit the post to give a final score of 29 – 10.

A well contested game with both sides trying hard to enforce different styles, Rovers up front and West out wide. It was West who took the spoils and deservedly so but a good performance by Rovers who stood up to recent criticism showing great heart and determination. Hopefully they will build on this in the next few home league games.