The hottest day of the year saw Westoe take to the field with a very different team than last years thrilling encounter on their artificial pitch. We welcomed back a handful of players to boost the squad (and the club funds) Finney got more game time and our import French signing Sayers made up the back three with Keenan and Westall, all had found their tackling shoulders. Westoe were shell shocked when within five minutes Foster had put the ball down twice over their try line with Armstrong hammering the conversions over. Coulle took over at eight as Kev McCabe was drafted into the front row with Raey and Kelsey in what lookd an impressive set up and when Hammond was brought on it was more of the same. Tennant quickly sorted out their lineout calls and a quick whisper in Fernies ear sorted out domination in the line. On twenty three minutes Foster completed his hat trick with another. On the half hour the ball spun out to Durnion to add another five points. It was almost a revers of last years score as Westoe put five points on the board with an unconverted try. Spectators were fooled when a reverse pass was delivered by Durnion leaving Westall on a one on one with the full back. Burgum received a nasty cut to the head but following treatment came back to continue hammering their attackers. No contest up went the refs arm another score and half time minutes away.
Half Time Lions 35 – Westoe 5
With only five minutes gone Ker looked as if he had turned the clock back as he broke a tackle found himself in space with almost half the field in front of him. With no support it was head down and go, a quick glance and over for another score. Scott came back on to add his experience to the front five Wesoe could have added to their score but a heads up tackle from Lumley (easily the best tackle of the game) stopped them. Youdale and Cider Rob (to many McCabes) came on and the visitors groaned under the pressure. Then it got worse on came Amos to hit anyone who came near with his unique style of tackles. Elgie on at full back completed the scoring when he went clear untouched in the corner. Armstrong completed a superb afternoon with the boot scoring with a difficult kick and 100% seven from seven conversions.
Westoe had the last shout though adding their second unconverted try of the afternoon to finish the game off. A disappointing Westoe side put under the cosh by a big Billingham squad, this gave Manager Mike Brown a chance to look at players in different combinations of players but next week we need to do it all again. .
Full Time Lions 49 – Westoe 10