Last-gasp try wins it for Westoe
THIS was a last-gasp victory after a bruising battle in quagmire conditions.
Lock Matty Muchall's crashing dive over after a desperation-driven 12-phased attack on Broadstreet's tryline ended a five-game sequence of defeats, and also earned his side the four-try bonus point.
The moment that Dan Rayson's conversion sailed over the bar saw referee Revis Phillips blow the whistle to end what had been a grimly fought and ill-tempered game and, yet, in which a surprising amount of flair and open play had transcended the mud.
That was much to the credit of both sides, and let us not forget the endeavours of groundsman Robin Wightman that made the game possible.
The dramatic result meant that the disconsolate visitors, who had hung on to a solitary point lead since the 67th minute, had to return to the Midlands with nine successive defeats behind them.
This victory was all the more creditable because the Shieldsmen had to play the entire second half with 14 men after No8 Michael Ellery got the red card for punching an opponent.
While it was a lamentable lapse of self discipline, which the player doubtless instantly regretted, frustration had understandably built up because the visitors' own flying fists had gone unpunished.
The victory means that Gareth Nesbit's men can travel to basement club Waterloo on Saturday in good heart knowing that a similar outcome there would effectively guarantee National 2 North survival.
Director of rugby Andy Howells made no secret of his delight, declaring: "I am over the moon. This is the sort of win that can change a season.
"It was a performance of considerable character with a never-say-die attitude that showed real grit.
"The boys dug very deep instead of rather fading away, as they have been apt to do when things have gone against them."
Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe went ahead in the 17th minute when a well-worked attack up the right flank ended with Rayson going over in the corner.
Soon after, Broadstreet equalised when a series of pick and drives set the backs away in the Westoe 22 and an overlap saw scrum-half Nick Thatcher touch down – fly-half Danny Richards' conversion attempt hitting the post.
Then in the 27th minute came a memorable try when, with the Westoe line under pressure, spring-heeled winger Chris Clark grabbed a loose ball just outside the 5m zone, evaded two lunging tackles and sped up the field.
Penalty strikes by Richards either side of the interval put the visitors ahead for the first time after which a try by his opposite number David Haswell, who spurted over after an off-load by replacement flanker Miles Scott, was negated by the visitors' winger Tobias Rochester's score 10 minutes later.
The home team pack was increasingly dominant with Muchall masterly in the lineouts, but their opponents hung on for almost 20 minutes before that decisive sustained assault in the last play.
Howells said: "We did really well upfront and I always felt it was going to happen for us.
"I moved Chris Judson (from full-back) to his usual scrum-half position because he better knows the foibles of the forwards, so I felt could better control things behind the pack, and, as things turned out, it paid off."
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 25 May 2012
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