Westoe ready for their Waterloo
IT is a largely rehabilitated Westoe side that goes into battle against visitors Waterloo tomorrow.
Back from injury and sickness come the key trio of prop Raymie Elliott, lock Paul Bird and scrum- half Chris Judson.
But perhaps the best news on the casualty front is that, against expectations, outside centre James Clark, who limped off with a dead leg at half time at Broadstreet on Saturday, has declared himself fit.
That means he will again be linking up with his twin, winger Chris, who replaced him after coming back from a torn hamstring.
There is no doubt that when this pair of streetwise fliers are together, the Westoe backs are among the most dangerous in National 2 North.
With eight tries between them, the duo are a significant reason why the Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Shieldsmen have bagged six bonus points so far, a total equalled only by Loughborough Students, Fylde and Leicester Lions.
When the Haswell brothers, David and Graeme, are again fighting fit, there will be keen competition for places although, unfortunately, that will be some weeks yet.
Certainly, the attack is in good order with plenty of support coming from the forwards, particularly athletic and vigorous back row men Aaron Myers and Michael Ellery.
It is the defence that is causing concern and there will have been some straight talking this week from director of rugby Andy Howells.
When minds are fully concentrated it is resolute enough, but much too often comes a lapse and with it a "soft" try.
There have been none of those blank opposition scorelines that captain Gareth Nesbit relishes so dearly; indeed, the least points they have conceded in the seven games so far was in their 22-16 home win against the Students, and three times they have conceded more than 30.
Defensive errors were grievously to blame for the defeat by Preston Grasshoppers in front of an almost disbelieving Wood Terrace crowd and – abetted by missed place kicks – cost them the game last week.
Big Nes said: "We have played some good attacking rugby but we have to stop conceding soft tries.
"It is not lack of endeavour that causes it, it is because concentration levels slip, but at least we know what the problems are and we can work to put them right."
Liverpool-based Waterloo were relegated as last season's wooden spoonists of the former National Two division (now National League One) and have had a shoddy start to the campaign, lying second bottom with just a solitary win and a draw to their credit.
But a pragmatic Nesbit knows there are no push-overs at this level.
He said: "They are a big club with a great tradition and they are going to come at us hard. And as we are newly promoted, they have very likely targeted us as one of their 'must win' games."
* The game is sponsored by motor company boss and generous club benefactor Vic Young and the match ball by Dave Wallace, of Westoe Landscapes.
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 25 May 2012
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