Colts v West Hartlepool (A)

Penrith v West Hartlepool

As of Monday, the RFU suspended all rugby associated activities at all levels until the 14th of April. Our league admin has also called an end to our season. Sad times but given the circumstances, we cannot be surprised, our game against West Hartlepool turned out to be the last of the season.

West Hartlepool were formidable opponents at the end of last season when we clashed in the play-off final at Kingston Park. However, the ever-changing dynamics of the 17 to 18-year old group has taken its toll, as we have also found this season. They were a completely different side fielding a depleted team of just 12 players. We travelled with a squad of 17 with a few pulling out last minute. The game went ahead with two of our lads bolstering their ranks.

West started the better side and with all the early pressure that seemed to take us by surprise. We weathered the early storm and started to settle in with our first score ten minutes in, a clever interception by Joe Robinson at centre, he snapped up the ball to run in unopposed. From the re-start we kept the momentum going and pressed the home-side back. A scrum 22m gave the pack a good platform, an initial break down the blind right was foiled but flanker Aaron Cavaghan was close at hand to tidy up and go over into the corner.

West had another good period of play and tried moving the ball around but our pack, backline speed and tackling were functioning well. Flyhalf Matty Irving was already on the scoresheet with a couple of conversions, this time he rounded off a great passage of play. The pack were camped on Wests try-line battering away into a solid defence. The ball was spun out with Matty on a charge taking tackler and ball over the line.

With eight minutes of the half remaining, we went over twice more. First, a Hugh Burne trademark try from a 10m scrum inside the opposition’s half. He gathered from the base of the scrum handed off, dodged, weaved and sprinted to the line. His outstretched arm in the tackle made the line for the points. The game was opening up for us now, with two minutes remaining fullback Olly Bibby made a break down the middle with elusive footwork as far as the 5m line. Hugh was in close support for the offload to crash over.
At the start of the second half we were messy, we gave away four consecutive penalties. The quick tap and go tactic kept them moving forward, West were now camped on our try-line. Several phases later a massive gap appeared in the middle of our ruck sufficient enough for a player to dive through and score. Aaron made amends shortly after the re-start following a neat chip and chase by Matty he received the ball to go over between the posts.

Once again, the game was opening up for us as Wests heads started to go down. Olly once again weaved down the middle and offloaded in the tackle, this time to lock, Toby King who made the line. As we moved into the last fifteen minutes West had an attacking penalty line-out on our 5m. A clinical catch and drive gave Archie Rattray (playing for West) a chance to crash over from the back of the maul. The home-side got their last score minutes later from a clever cross-field kick with the wind behind the ball, an excellent chase and pressure rewarded with a Penrith fumble, gather and score.

The last ten minutes was almost like a sevens game. The ball was being thrown around along with some great individual breaks. Hooker, Ben Riley led the way for our next try he broke tackles and made good yards down the middle. An offload once again found Toby who went over between the posts. Winger, Calum Harkes capped off the game with its last try. With the ball kept alive and offloads a plenty Hugh once again surging forward was tackled shy of the line, in support this time was Calum on an angled run to the line. Matty maintained an almost perfect kicking game with 8 from 9 conversions, final score, West 15 – 61 Penrith.

A great team effort with a special thanks going to Callum Campbell and Calum Harkes who played for West in the first half, along with Archie Rattray and Ben Gething who did the second half. A big thanks also to West for facilitating the game with a reduced squad.

So, our charge for a league play-off final comes to a sad end as we move into uncertain times. Let's try and keep fit, keep safe and virus free in preparation for a new season. Look after yourselves and especially those that need it most.