Whitehead RFC Vs West Mon RFC Saturday 24th September 14:30
Whiteheads travelled to West Mon for the third game of the season off the back of a ‘Shock’ win against an unbeaten Markham. After the initial shock of walking two miles to the pitch and half the team getting lost, Whiteheads seemed quite flat but eager to get on with things.
Within minutes of starting the Whiteheads back line was dominating with Prop turned 10 Adam Gibb cutting through the West Mon defence with ease to put John Farrugia in for the first Try of what turned out to be actually quite a few.
Frustrated with Whiteheads attacking advances West Mon gave away a penalty right in front of the posts which was slotted by gibby. Shortly after yet another gap parted in the West Mon defence and Gibby took advantage with some slick backs moves through another forward convert Shane Pocock to put Local MP Tom Forsey in for his first try of the season.
After this initial dangerous period followed 10 minutes of pure defending for Whiteheads and West Mon piled on the pressure advancing through some decent backs moves of their own. But Whiteheads held firm and kept them out with Gibby entering yet another gap to put Matt Dodds in for a great try.
Before the half was up Shane Pocock was over the whitewash with a great effort and Gibby had slotted home a Drop Goal to the delight of the Away Fans and the Dismay of the west Mon Team. An impressive attacking display by Whiteheads if not a little disjointed at times. Half Time West Mon 0-34 Whiteheads.
The second half started much the same as the first with the pack creating a great pushover effort which was touched down by Scrum Half Geraint Phillips. The coaches then rang the changes with Adam Gibb coming off due to a broken nail and Lee Cox also coming off with Matthew Brown and David Williams replacing them. West Mon kept pinging the ball from kick off straight down Tom Blackers throat and on one occaision he pulled out his trademark show and go to get whiteheads further down the field.
Yet again Geraint was in the action with another try which was also claimed by Andrew Yeoaman… We will let them fight that one out. James Masters was then subbed on for Lyndon Collins and with his first touch of the ball Masters was put in for an excellent try by Lewis Johnson. More substitutions followed with Chris Dodds coming off for Rhys Williams and Sam Perry coming on for Gavin Phillips.
It wasn’t long before crowd favourite Rhys Williams was in the action with a pick and go for his third try of the season and taking him yet again to Top Try Scorer! It wasn’t long before earlier replacement Masters got his hands on the ball again with some excellent backs play and he again made it over the whitewash making it two trys.
With 10 minutes left in the game whiteheads found themselves consistently pressurising the West Mon line but quite weary. A penalty was awarded and Matt Dodds placed it straight into the corner where Sam Perry took a catch and drive over the line for Chris Dodds to score.
In the throws of the game Dave 'Stretch' Williams broke clear for a try and then in the last minute of play some excellent passing also put Matthew Brown in for a try which was the last play of the game. That made the final score West Mon 0-82 Whiteheads (According to some sources we haven’t quite worked it out yet).Impressive from whiteheads but a very flattering socreline. A big thanks goes out to West Mon who persevered through everything to make it a great game.
Sam Perry
Processing