West Hartlepool fall to heavy defeat to West Leeds

A makeshift West side put up a brave fight in their 41-17 defeat against a West Leeds side which included two former professionals but failed to take the most of their opportunity when the visitors were down to 12 men.
West Hartlepool take on West Leeds on Saturday.West Hartlepool take on West Leeds on Saturday.
West Hartlepool take on West Leeds on Saturday.

The Brinkburn side - forced to make seven changes from the side which won the last home game - did score three tries and would have deserved the bonus point if they had managed another.

The visitors had former England, Leeds and Wigan rugby league winger Mark Calderwood in their ranks along with scrum half Joe Bedford a former pro with Leeds, Rotherham and Newport Gwent Dragons.

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The latter went on to have a game he’ll remember for some time.

He opened the try scoring with some ease after eight minutes when he outfoxed West’s rookie defence only to blot his copybook just before the break when he was sent off for the first time in his career.

Referee Gareth Foreman had no hesitation in showing the red card after Bedford verbally abused the West touch judge.

West Leeds were 17-0 at this point thanks top the unerring boot of fly-half Dale Breakwell and a second try courtesy of winger Angus Milbourne.

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West, who more than held their own in the scrum against a big pack, took the opportunity to force Andy Turner over for an unconverted try, and with the wind at the backs and against 14 men there was some hope of a rally.

West’s prospects quickly improved after the break with two yellow cards in quick succession for West Leeds.

Second row Dec Penny was the first to go for a no-arms tackle as Will Hilditch and Zac Southern attacked up the right wing.

Two minutes later, fellow lock Dan Baxter, formerly of Hartlepool Rovers, went to the bin for deliberately collapsing a maul as West went for the line.

That should have been the signal for a revival.

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Instead, the 12 men of West Leeds stepped up their tackling and actually managed to score much to West’s embarrassment - poor tackling allowing skipper Sam Neave to crash over from short range.

West Leeds were comfortable at 24-5 up and went further ahead when West prop Adam Coates was yellow carded for handling in a ruck. Baxter set up another easy conversion for Breakwell after going over from short range.

West did produce a late rally. The back row had more than held its own during the game with all three ending up on the scoresheet.

Alex Barker, making his first start since breaking his foot early bin the season followed a break by the powerful Rob Thorn who was playing at centre, to collect from short range and force his way over.

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Painter’s conversion was wide but he was allowed another attempt after one of the Leeds players had shouted as he was about to connect. This time he added the two points.

The back row “hat trick” was completed 10 minutes later when Scott Butcher was sent clear after Gavin Painter broke from a quickly taken tap penalty.

Unfortunately for the home team, West Leeds had already scored their fifth try through second row Carpenter with Breakwell finishing the game with a penalty.

This Saturday, West host top side Driffield with the hope that some of their more experienced players will be back to make a difference.

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West: Zac Southern, James Tyers, Will Hilditch, Rob Thorn, Adam Peacock, Gavin Painter, Matt Siddle, Adam Coates, Andrew Rollins (capt), Jake Linighan, James Tyers, Alex Barker, Andrew Turner.

Changes: Johnny Hunter, Dan Quinn, Ross Wood.

Tries: Turner, Barker, Butcher.

Cons: Painter (1)

West Leeds: Danny Booth, Mark Calderwood, Sam Neave (capt), Tom Jackson, Angus Milborne, Dale Breakwell, Joe Bedford, Duane Smith, Archie Rika-Rayne, Liam Robinson, George Carpenter, Dan Baxter, Dec Penny, Dan Bird, James Salter.

Reps: Dave Gregory, Lewis Bromley,. Dean Quaid.

Tries: Bedford, Milborne, Neave, Baxter, Carpenter.

Cons: Breakwell (5).

Pens Breakwell (2).

Red Card: Bedford

Yellow: Baxter, Penny.