Westoe share spoils on pre season game
Aug
Kendal 7 - Westoe 7
WESTOE emerged with a highly creditable draw from this hard-fought pre-season friendly - but also with a six-strong casualty list.
The Cumbrians, whose all-win North One record last term has earned them promotion to National Three (North), were relieved not to have their colours lowered by opponents who had given them two of their toughest games on their way to the championship.
The Shieldsmen, though lacking a bevy of First XV regulars including captain Gareth Nesbit because of holidays, dominated the first quarter, taking the lead in the tenth minute when prop Raymie Elliott burst over just to the right of the posts, fly half John McFarlane converting.
And they defended stoutly when thrust on the back foot as the injury toll mounted: hooker Nigel Douglas (neck and head), prop Kieran McKeowen, newly recruited from Gateshead (knee), David Haswell (wrist and thumb), his brother and fellow centre Graeme, who had a fine tackling game (neck), flanker Ryan Foster (back) and lock John Younghusband (back).
A solitary defensive lapse on the half hour enabled Kendal to break from just inside their own half and impose pressure in the Westoe 22 that produced a fine cross-field move which culminated with the equalizing converted try.
But overall it was a commendable performance in which a number of the young set, notably flanker Clayton Fox, made their mark.
It augured well for a campaign in which Westoe will again be striving to win national league status that has so narrowly eluded them in all three seasons since they were promoted to North One.
Club chairman and team manger Duncan Murray said: “It was a testing, stamina-sapping game against strong opponents and I believe it was the strict fitness routine the players have undergone in recent weeks that enabled them to come through it so well. ”
Although the injury to David Haswell, who made the trip home with his whist in a sling, is causing concern, the other casualties are expected to have recovered fully in time for a second friendly at Mowden Park on August 30.
It is hoped to arrange a third game before the curtain rises on the league season when Beverley come to Wood Terrace on September 13.
Westoe have announced that their main sponsors this year are Ken and Gillian Reader, bosses of the seafront-based Dunes Adventure Island.
