Rovers who were supported by a large and vociferous travelling contingent received the kick off against South Shields Westoe at Wood Terrace, knowing a 5-point win would give them an excellent chance of moving out of the bottom two in the league. From the kick-off Rovers made their intentions clear with a couple of massive tackles and turn-overs. From a position in midfield T. Ross made a dangerous break into the home 22, when the prop was tackled, the ball was moved to CHARTERS who powered over for an early try. The conversion was missed by the returning Michael Barnfield. (5-0, 6 Mins).
Things got even better for the Friaragemen when from a long kick by Rochester the Rovers tackling was good and forced a turnover in the Westoe 22, the ball was moved and JEFFREY crashed over from 5 yards. The kick from wide out hit the posts and rebounded over. (12-0, 10 Mins).
Westoe were simply being blown away by the waves of attacks from the Rovers backs, on 16 minutes things got even better when from another good kick chase down the bank, another turnover was won and the ball was moved swiftly to ROCHESTER, who swerved outside the centres and then sidestepped the full back to score under the posts. Barnfield slotted the conversion. (19-0, 16 Mins).
Each time Westoe made ground into the Rovers half, they coughed up possession and Rochester and S. Barnfield cleared them down the bank and the Rovers chase stopped them returning the ball up field. From one such kick chase, the Rovers tackling forced a knock-on just inside the Westoe 22. The Rovers scrum was good and DRING took the ball up the blindside and with men outside, he dummied and drove over for a bonus point try. The conversion from wide out was missed. (24-0, 22 Mins).
On the 28th minute things got worse for the home side when the centre was yellow carded for an off the ball incident.
The numerical advantage was exploited on 30 mins, when from a position close to the home line, ARMSTRONG powered his way over near to the posts. Barnfield converted. (31-0, 30 Mins).
Westoe finally got themselves some field position and finally put the Rovers defence under pressure, moving the ball side to side. However, their efforts came to nothing when KEERS took a gamble and intercepted on the half-way line and sprinted in under the posts. Barnfield kicked the easy conversion. (38-0, 35 Mins).
Westoe started to move the ball with purpose and forced Rovers to concede a number of penalties and finally the patience of referee Phillips was stretch to far and he sent Gunn and Barnfield to the sinbin in quick succession.
With Westoe now back at full strength they finally got some go forward ball in the Rovers 22 and found the centre who forced his way over for a try. The conversion was missed and the 1st half drew to a close.
38-5 Half Time
Rovers kicked off the 2nd half up the bank and into the wind and knew they would have to defend well to keep Westoe at arm’s length. They manage to keep the home side out until the 46th Minute when the centre broke from the 22 and scored in the corner. The conversion was again missed. (38-10 46 Mins).
Rovers were now back to full strength but were still being pushed back by a Westoe side who refused to go away and the centre scored his 3rd try on the 55 minutes when he was on the end of a flowing backs move and scored in the corner. The conversion could not be added. (38-15, 55 Mins).
Rovers started to get good field position with the forwards taking the game by the scruff of the neck and driving hard at the home forwards, but time and again they fell foul of the referee’s whistle and they were kicked back down the bank.
Westoe forced Rovers back into their own half and caused the Rovers defence problems and Armstong and then Ross T. were dispatched to the sin bin for slowing Westoe ruck ball down.
The next 10 minutes were played around the middle of the field and when Rovers were back to their full contingent, they began to get on top again and Lloyd was very unlucky not to score with 2 separate drives for the line, being adjudged to be held up on both occasions.
The end of the game came with Rovers deep in the Westoe 22. This win moves them out of the bottom 2 but they need all supporters and available ex-players to attend on the 6th April when they play league leaders Guisborough at the New Friarage, knowing that if they can better the result that Whitley Bay Rockliff get then ‘The Great Escape’ will be complete.
38-15 Full Time
Rovers: Pinchen, Jeffrey, Ross T., Lloyd, Armstrong, Charters, Vincent, Dring, S. Barnfield ©, Rochester, Ross C., Gunn, Keers, Harrison, M. Barnfield Subs (All Used) Wise, Dean, S. Railton
MOM: Charters – Drove the Westoe pack back all game with his direct running.