Shock defeat for out-of-sorts Westoe
WESTOE'S yo-yo campaign once more took a nose dive.
After reviving their fortunes and boosting optimism with three successive impressive wins, their form again unaccountably dipped as they came a cropper against opponents battling against relegation.
And following a mauling on the field, they came in for a tongue-lashing off it.
Clearly exasperated, director of rugby Andy Howells declared: "This lack of consistency has been the story of our season and it must change.
"A good work ethic is vital and some players need to take a long, clear look at themselves and ask if they are putting enough into it.
"We let them straight into the game, did not take our chances and finished up living off their scraps. We deserved what we got."
Desperate to stay afloat in National 2 North, second bottom Bradford and Bingley had recruited new players and one of them, Tongan winger Tylan Mafi, struck on the brink of half-time in his first outing in front of a home crowd.
The ball had spun out from a lineout drive on the 22, and his burst pierced the defence, and enabled him to off-load to player-coach Stuart Dixon, who touched down under the posts, full back Tom Davidson kicking the first of his three conversions.
That gave the home team, who just about had the edge, a 13-3 lead at the interval, Davidson, captain of Yorkshire Under-20s, having kicked two early penalties against one by Westoe fly-half Charlie Rayner.
It was after the interval that the Bees, who had previously won only four of their 21 games, really stung the out-of-sorts Shieldsmen with power play which, if it can be sustained, should be their salvation.
Strong running and good handling took the attack deep into Westoe territory before a thrusting run by the inspirational Dixon enabled him to present fellow centre James McBirnie with an easy try.
Thus far, there had been a fairly evenly-fought battle of the packs, but now it was the home forwards who took command.
And when the third quarter ended with a quite spectacular rolling maul that was intentionally collapsed after forcing the visitors almost 40 metres back on to their line, a penalty try was inevitable.
The Tykes were now in rampaging mood and a many-phased attack ended with a drive in the left corner in which replacement scrum-half Mark Gemmell was thrust over to secure a precious four-try bonus point, followed soon after by winger Rob Almond going over.
It was appropriate that the last word belonged to Westoe stalwart Mark Olugbode, due soon to work in Hong Kong, who captained the side in the absence of Gareth Nesbit in what might be his last game in a sky blue, dark blue and red jersey.
His fine and whole-hearted personal performance escaped the fully justified after-match barbs and it was capped when in the last play of the game, he dived over in the right corner when for once the stout Bees' rearguard was breached.
* The Seconds put on a fine all-round display to beat strong and well-organised opponents 21-13 in a Candy League clash at West Hartlepool, tries being scored by ex-Colts, winger Daniel Rundle (two) and lock Jack Pascoe, with penalties kicked by John Irving and Adam Thompson.
The Shieldsmen made ground and provided good ball with a succession of strong rucks and mauls while midfield backs Irving, Danny Whitelaw and Jon Thompson were a constant menace.
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
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