Rovers Heughers 32 - 24 Westoe 2nds

Rovers extended their unbeaten run with another bonus point win over a very vocal Westoe side.

Like last week the Heughers got off to a terrible start leaking two tries in the first quarter of an hour with one converted to put us 0-12 down. Gradually we came back into the game and Dazz spurned a kickable penalty to go for the corner. This turned out to be a good call as Patrick won the lineout and the pack drove over with Joe Little getting the try. A move that was repeated shortly later in more impressive circumstances where this time we drove Westoe back fully 20 metres. Again it was Joe Little who was last up with the ball. Dazz had converted one try to bring the scores level at 12-12. Westoe had the chance to go ahead but their kicker spent ages choosing which kicking tee to use only to miss the penalty. Dazz was more precise with a lovely cross kick to the corner for Scott Buttery to win the race before the ball went over the dead ball line.

HT Rovers Heughers 17 - 12 Westoe 2nds

If we had had a poor start to the first half that wasn't the case with the second period. Patrick chased and won the kick off and the ball was recycled to Dazz who charged through the Westoe defence until he was dragged down. Again the ball was recycled and Dazz regained his feet to receive the ball and dummy his way over and then add the conversion. We went further ahead when Joe Little popped up in the backs and meandered his way over for his hat trick. We were now 29-12 up and seemingly in control until we fell on the wrong side of Referee Doc English. With a quarter of an hour to go first of all Tony Ross was yellow carded for tackling a player while on his knees (I think) and a penalty try was given. Then that dastardly thug Patrick O'Callaghan was sent to the naughty step for a high tackle. While Westoe battered away at our line in an attempt to improve the 29-24 score the defence of the short handed Heughers was immense. We kept them out and worked our way upfield to keep the ball in safer territory in the away 22. The game finished on an odd note when at a scrum to us the last play was called. Dazz got the ball from AJ and hoofed it off the field only for the ref to award us a penalty for Westoe breaking early. Dazz kicked this to put us 8 points ahead and deny Westoe a losing bonus point.

FT Rovers Heughers 32 - 24 Westoe 2nds

This was a satisfying win over a Westoe side which contained a number of players who seem to have no concept of rugby's core values of respect for the opposition and discipline. A shame for those of their squad who were fine.

For the second week in a row the Heughers no. 8 got a hat trick so congratulations to Joe Little. But the game was really won by our team work throughout the game and our excellent backs to the wall defence in the last quarter of an hour.

Our youth policy is clearly paying off with Finbar and Davy Carroll making their first appearances of the season. Also well done to Kev Lawson who followed up on his drunken promise to turn up. Commiserations to those in our squad of 23 who didn't get on but supported the team throughout. Your contribution was much appreciated.

Next we don't have a scheduled fixture but are looking for a game.

Squad

R Harrison, Wallace, Hodgson, Addison, Buttery, Pinky, Coxon, Wright, Fawcett, AJ, L Saunders, Lawson, Ross,, Lidster, Healey, Carroll, Power (c), Stoddart, Rayner, Jobling, Hogg, O'Callaghan, Little.