South Shields Westoe on fire against Novocastrians

South Shields Westoe produced their best performance of the season with a stunning 55-0 victory over Novocastrians.
South Shields Westoes Luke Moffet touches downSouth Shields Westoes Luke Moffet touches down
South Shields Westoes Luke Moffet touches down

It was a nervy and frantic opening five minutes which saw intent from both sides, with some promising attacks.

Following a kick, Moffett secured the ball, only to be brought down on the oppositions 22.

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Novos were penalised at the breakdown and Arnold kicked to touch, allowing the Westoe pack to explode over the line with their driving maul. McKenzie touching down for his first of the day.

There followed a sustained period of pressure from Novos, who looked dangerous in attack and determined to equalise.

It was not until the 22nd minute that Westoe crossed the line again with Kirton driving through the defence and offloading to Ramsay, who took out the remaining defence to feed McKenzie for his second try of the day.

Minutes later, a McKenzie drive split the Novos defence, for scrum-half Booth to quickly feed winger Graham who crashed his way over the line.

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Westoe guaranteed the bonus point just before half-time when a rampaging Connolly smashed his way through several defenders, allowing Younghusband to pounce on the ball and ghost his way across the line. Arnold converted.

The second half saw Novos provide the initial impetus with storming runs from their outside centre and second row, which were only thwarted by determined defending.

With their first forage of the half, Westoe spun the ball out wide to McKenzie, who drew the defence and fed Moffett on the inside who touched down.

Try number six came from a tapped down line-out, which was spun wide to winger Roberts, who tore down the wing to add to the score.

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Playing with supreme confidence, Westoe finished the match with some festival running rugby.

The Westoe pack showed their power with a maul, taking the ball to within touching distance of the line.

Novos brought the maul down and with a penalty advantage, Booth recycled the ball quickly putting Kirton across for the score.

Roberts and Parkin rounded things off for Westoe and capped a devastating display and a 55-0 victory.