U16s - Worthy Winners v Westoe

The previous home encounter in cup competition against Westoe was the game that brought the curtain down on the first team pitch at Yiewsley Drive.....a 26-0 victory! The last meeting between the teams in all competitions had been up the road at South Shields and the honours went to the home team, but only just. If the planets were aligned and the sandpits were in good order then perhaps another victory could be on it's way, that was the hope as the Refs whistle sounded for the commencement of hostilities.

The boot of the Westoe fly-half had been in good form on the last meeting but perhaps his slightly scuffed initial effort was to signal a positive sign for MP, sure enough our boys were straight on to the ball and the forwards were immediately driving forward into the opposing half. Unfortunately after a couple of phases the play broke down and Westoe gained possession and the early signs were ominous with them demonstrating an efficient passing back line which released the winger for a go down the line, however he didn't make much ground before Alex W tracked him down and with a good knee level tackle brought him to the ground. This was the spark that fired our boys into action and from then on they were immense. The forwards were making some fantastic runs, Josh B, Matty S, and Westy, back into his niche, were certainly turning the opposition defence and the backs were exploiting the space. The half back combination of Tom H and Ross B were linking up well and looking to change the point of attack, spreading the ball out to the flanks while also encouraging their pack to take a more direct approach. The net result within the first ten minutes was the unstoppable machine that is Dom D (a second half side-stepper as well) making the final few yards to go over the whitewash, as usual with approximately four defenders hanging off him. The play from the restart was immediately from the boys in blue and white, Will B took a good catch and was head down into straight back at his opponents, backed up superbly by his colleagues, our boys were on top at the breakdown virtually all game which was obviously key as this freed up our ball and allowed us to play across the park. Within a further fifteen minutes, where we had defended resolutely and also attacked when possible, the ball found its way in the backs and a good combination between Ross B and Josh B saw the ball into the hands of Danny W on halfway, the afterburners got lit and he touched down for a further five points. 10-0 at oranges.

The second half was essentially a carbon copy of the first, a few scuffles (in the words of one of the Westoe supporters "it's always that number 11...)* and our boys playing some great rugby. The defensive line from the backs was moving up as one , Josh M putting in some great tackles and also making more carries to add to his first half count. This meant that Westoe were forced into a number of handling errors, often when they were starting to look threatening which allowed MP to regain possession and play the game in the appropriate half. The next try was an individual peach, Ross B chipped the ball up and raced on to win an aerial battle, beat a couple of defenders and went in under the posts...and he converted it. The game was still an even contest and there were signs that Westoe could mount a fight back they crossed the line but a great effort from our boys swa the ball held up, thankfully home nerves were calmed with what was to be the final score. The boys in blue and white had the ball on the opposition twenty two when it found its way along the line, helped on by a great touch from Will B, into the hands of Andrew W who powered through two defenders and reached out for the line. The game was still evenly contested until the final whistle sparked some well deserved celebrations from the whole of the squad.

Congratulations to the boys from Westoe for their part in a keenly contested affair, it was obvious that they wanted it just as much as our boys.

A big well done to all of our boys and Billingham in the Semi-Final.....

Motm - the whole team
Penny - Glenno...in his defence sticking up for his team-mates*