Big Nes has great expectations
WESTOE will begin their league campaign tomorrow keenly aware of captain Gareth Nesbit's great expectations.
Nesbit has made it crystal clear in the build up that this time around he expects nothing short of promotion into the ranks of national rugby.
And this will be sternly emphasized in his last briefing just before the 3pm kick-off at newly-promoted Liverpool St Helens.
During his previous three seasons in command, Nesbit discouraged speculation about promotion until the chase was on.
In the first, the championship of North Two (East) was clinched with a stunning 58-0 victory against Alnwick, then in the most memorable year in the club's long history came the gallant, but unsuccessful, battle for the Intermediate Cup against Morley in the final at Twickenham.
But in the two subsequent seasons in North One, high hopes of further elevation into National Three (North) were thwarted by poor performances and frustrating third-place finishes.
But now Nesbit is beating the promotion drum from the very start.
He said: "This is my fourth year as captain, and as far as I am concerned it's time for everyone to shut up and put up, because this time I expect better than third place.
"I've already made my expectations known loud and clear, and I will express them again before the game so that nobody is left in any doubt."
He praised the contribution of ex-Newcastle Falcons hard man Richard Arnold, who has resigned to become head of rugby at the University of Northumberland.
But he said that South African replacement Russell Winter and Kiwi fly-half Ian Tulloch – who has arrived as player-coach of the backs – have "fitted like gloves" into the Wood Terrace set-up.
Nesbit added: "They have brought fresh ideas to the table and that is a good thing. I did feel that we had become rather one-dimensional and predictable."
Brothers and key men David and Graeme Haswell come into the side in the unfamiliar roles of full-back and centre, but a surprise omission is three-quarter James Fitzpatrick who scored twice on Saturday, but finds himself on the bench.
Lock Matthew Muchall is still involved in cricket, scrum-half Chris Judson is on honeymoon and flanker Jonathon Okwe-Pearson will be unavailable for three weeks, though that offers a chance for Mickey Holland to make his mark.
* I have, quite rightly, been taken to task by Jarrovians for my report last week which stated that they pulled out of a pre-season friendly game which a Westoe XV was keen to play.
They point out that no undertaking was ever given and while they tried to field a side they were unable to do so. Sorry, guys.
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
