WESTOE 41 ROSSENDALE 12

With Johan Goosen, Ryan McKibbin and Tom Short absent from the
pack through injury and with Tom Albinson and Steve Nutt out of
the back line notwithstanding forgetting the kit and losing
captain Jamie Albinson after five minutes, this was always going
to be a difficult fixture despite the South Shields outfit being
next to the bottom of National Three North.

It proved to be so and although the youngsters who came in
competed right to the end the home were unable to stem the tide
of a home side who played with their 'tails up' right from the
kick off.

Westoe opened with a penalty try, Matt Mellish landing the
conversion. Rossendale hit back with a try from Alex Isherwood
chasing a kick ahead from Anthony Bingham and although the kick
was fielded the charge down of the attempted clearance provided
the opportunity. James Bramhall added the conversion but the
home side hit back with tries from Luke Moffat and James Clark
and with Mellish adding the conversion Westoe went in 19-7 ahead
at half time.

With Rossendale receiving three yellow cards, Simon Walker,
Leyton Taylor and Isherwood the culprits, Westoe took full
advantage and added a further 15 points through tries by Andrew
Lawson and Ben Roberts converted by Mellish who also added a
penalty.

Taylor pulled one back, ploughing over from an attacking line
out, but the hone side were not to be denied with Gary Andrews
crossing for his side's fifth, Mellish landing the conversion.

Geoff Lightfoot