For the second week running Rovers fielded a different side showing strength in depth that is building at the club. Youngsters Chris Hopkinson and Jamie Montgomery were given places in the starting back line along with new signings Mac and Ken (sorry I haven’t mastered their last names yet).

Westoe started well pinning Rovers in their own 22 and despite some fairly decent defence and 2 scrums against the head the home centre ran through a couple of soft tackles to score a converted try after 15 minutes, 7 – 0.

Rovers hit back with good runs from Dave Gregory and Daz Fawcett kicking well positionally, he went wide with his first penalty attempt but slotted his second after 25 minutes to take the score to 7 – 3. Play continued to be scrappy mainly due to the stop / start attitude of the referee with both sided trying to run the ball but the game was constantly stopped for “premiership” type incidents that could have easily been overlooked to the advantage of everyone.

Fawcett was unlucky again after a high tackle, then Westoe kicked their chance to take the score to 10 – 3 after 35 minutes. The first half finished with a Westoe player going to the bin for persistent offences at the ruck.

The second half started as predicted with Anth Hanley going to the bin to practice his cage fighting techniques, this evened things out and gave the ref another tick. Tyrone Church came on for James Fleet to add experience to the pack.

Rovers started to string a few more passages of play together, hitting rucks harder giving faster ball to the sharp back line. It was the forwards who stood up to the task though, constantly battering the Westoe line with Ben Little finally crossing. Daz missed the kick leaving the score at 10 – 8.

Rovers continued the pressure with runs from Bullock, Gregory and Mac who ran in what seemed to be a try but was suspiciously brought back for a foot in touch. Dave Gregory left the field for Matty Saunders after some great runs and 8 takes against the head! Andrew Egglestone replaced Little in the front row to give fresh legs but more unusual decisions stopped the game again killing off any chance of a final score.

A spirited effort by Rovers, away from home against a team playing in the league above, they had enough chances to come away with a win, the only criticism as usual being we should move the ball wider more often ad quicker. It was a shame that the ref didn’t allow the game to flow more as both youthful sides wanted to play an open running game.