Westoe looking to halt decline
WESTOE confront opponents tomorrow who are as anxious as they are to reverse declining fortunes.
The injury-blighted Shieldsmen have lost their last five games and slumped from fifth-top to sixth-bottom of the 16-team National Two North league.
But visitors Broadstreet, whose bright start to the season included a 38-31 victory at home against Westoe, have fared even worse, and after eight consecutive defeats and a solitary draw in 11 matches, are now fourth bottom.
So a pretty intense contest is in store and club chairman Duncan Murray, who is also team manager, urged the Wood Terrace faithful to turn up in strength to give Gareth Nesbit's team rousing support.
He said: "This is a crucial game for us, and I know how much of a boost it is to our players to hear the crowd behind them."
Although something of an improvised side were beaten 34-22 by hosts Rugby Lions last week, at least – and for a much relieved change – there were no casualties.
And even though all-action flanker Aaron Myers is on England Sevens duty, and lock Iain Robinson is unavailable, the side tomorrow has a much better balanced and more combative look about it.
Back from injury come towering lock Matthew Muchall, such a big line-out influence, fly-half and first choice kicker Charlie Rayner, versatile back Dan Rayson, and wholehearted flanker Ryan Foster.
Nesbit, to whom the cup is always half full, was far from discouraged by the defeat at Rugby, arguing that though it was a weakened side further handicapped by players forced into unfamiliar roles, it was something of a step forward.
He said: "There were some who were thrust into the team who contributed a great deal and Chris Judson (normally scrum-half) had a fantastic game at full-back, and (lock) John Younghusband gave his best performance since getting back into the side.
"There were a lot of little things that were encouraging, and certainly we didn't deserve to come away without even a bonus point.
"I reckon we made three mistakes without which it would have been a different game all together."
Nesbit believes that one beneficial by-product of the rash of injuries has been that second-team men like Jon Thompson, James Walker, Hayden Richards, Bob Lamb, Craig Olugbode and Chris Laycock – the first three of who are in tomorrow's squad – have now sampled rugby at National level.
He declared: "We must get back to winning ways, and there were positives from the Rugby game to take with us into the game against Broadstreet."
It certainly says much for the spirit of the Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Shieldsmen that David Haswell, such a key man, was prepared to cut short a skiing trip to France to fly back in time to join the beleaguered team against the Lions.
* Tomorrow's game is being sponsored by James Latham Timber and the match ball by Athol House.
* Much focus will be on the Colts, who travel to Moseley for a second-round tie in the National Under-19 Cup in which they distinguished themselves so creditably last season by reaching the Northern regional final.
And it will be a busy weekend for the youngsters. On Sunday they compete in the Durham Under-18 Cup against Blaydon at Wood Terrace (kick off 1pm).
Email to a friend
Print this page- Newcastle target Barnetta to quit Bayer Leverkusen
- Demba Ba insists Newcastle United contract talks ongoing
- Transfer Rumours update May 22: Sunderland, Newcastle United, Liverpool, West Ham United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and QPR.
- Transfer Rumours May 25: Sunderland, Newcastle, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal
- Amalfitano flies into Toon to seal Newcastle deal
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
