A clearly exasperated Andy Howells, director of rugby, declared: "Really, if you score 31 points you should not be the losing side.

"We made silly individual mistakes, which caused us to concede too many points. That is something that must be addressed."

Severe words were spoken when unforced lapses contributed much to newly-promoted Westoe's disappointing start at National 2 North, culminating in a home defeat against Preston Grasshoppers after victory seemed to be in the bag.

The immediate effect was much better, and winning displays at Hull and against visitors Kendal followed.

Howells was, however, quick to stress: "None of the players can be criticized for lack of enthusiasm and endeavour. And we came away with both bonus points which is a definite plus."

On the minus side, though, was the team's leading try scorer, centre James Clark, limping off with a dead leg at half time – which puts him in doubt for Saturday's home game against Waterloo – to be replaced by his equally turbo-charged twin Chris, who was returning from a torn hamstring.

Westoe are without a doubt only at their most menacing when both the brothers are in the side.

Certainly, nobody watching this tantalizingly fluctuating contest can complain about lack of action and excitement, with both Westoe and their Coventry-based opponents running in five tries.

Fly-half Daniel Richards, who was not to miss a kick all game, put the home side ahead with a penalty after just three minutes, and quarter-of-an-hour later jinked his way through to score beside the posts and routinely convert himself.

Undaunted, Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe showed good touches and struck twice to reach the interval 12-10 ahead.

First, flanker Aaron Myers touched down after the ball had sped slickly through several pairs of hands, then just two minutes before half-time No8 Michael Ellery sped 30 metres through a static defence to score – fly -half Charlie Rayner kicking the first of his three conversions.

Soon after the resumption the Shieldsmen extended their lead by seven points when nimble scrum-half Peter Phelan made space and outpaced pursuers to reach the line.

Broadstreet struck back immediately when a swift passing move along the flank ended with right winger Greg Summers cutting inside and eluding four attempted tackles to touch down under the posts.

The hosts were now having the better of things and centre Tom Grimes, playing his best game of the season, restored his side's lead on the hour when he charged down a would-be clearance just outside the 22 and cleverly gathered the ball to score.

Five minutes later it was 24 points apiece after prop and captain Gareth Nesbit, for the second successive week showing rare athleticism for a heavyweight, galloped 20 metres through a faltering defence.

Once more, Broadstreet came straight back to score, Richards bagging a second try after his captain, lock Eddie Simkiss, had broken through and kicked ahead.

The intriguingly robust end-to-end rugby continued when five minutes later winger James Walker, who had just come on as a replacement, broke through, and Rayner's conversion again made it level-pegging.

Had sporting justice prevailed, that would have been a fair enough result, with supporters of both sides able to grumble about defensive shortcomings, but it was not to be.

With just three minutes remaining, back row man Adrian Hall broke from a scrum and scythed through the Westoe rearguard to touch down beside the posts and settle matters.

* Winger Chris Laycock kicked three penalties to put the Seconds 9-0 ahead in the first half hour, but Tynedale fought back to win 25-9 in a Candy League clash at Wood Terrace.

There was, however, much to commend the Westoe performance in a more evenly-fought battle than the score suggests against able and well-drilled opponents.

* The Thirds had no answer to Tynedale's fleet and strong backs and were beaten 65-12 in their Northumberland League game at Oakleigh Gardens.

Flanker David Geech and lock James Atkinson scored tries for Westoe with scrum-half Gavin Carey kicking a penalty.
n Because of cry-offs in teams above, the Fourth's game against South Tyneside College was cancelled.