Westoe 31 Hull 19

Mar 6 2011 by Mark Smith, Sunday Sun

WESTOE were worthy winners in an entertaining National Two North encounter, as they outscored their Yorkshire visitors by five tries to three.

After last week’s postponement at Loughborough University the only thing on the Shieldsmen’s minds was closing the gap on Fylde, and they emerged with a well-deserved maximum five-point haul.

Hull may have enjoyed the size advantage in the pack courtesy of their giant forward eight, but they did not make it tell as Westoe’s game changed the point of attack with effect.

The home side edged ahead five minutes in as full-back Scott Jordan finished off a two-on-one down the right wing from 40 metres out, and led until the final whistle.

No 8 Jonathan Okwe-Pearson was next over the try-line as he powered over from a rolling maul – his side having opted for an attacking line-out in the right corner rather than a more straightforward three points.

Hull grabbed a foot-hold in the game as No 8 Oliver Cook raced in for an interception try on the half-hour for a 12-7 interval score, but Westoe continued to call the shots.

Fly-half Mark Bedworth crossed for their third try as Aaron Myers snaffled an over-thrown line-out in the visitors’ 22, and even when Hull right-wing Alexander Piercy raced in for another interception score, the home side did not lose their focus.

The four-try bonus point was secured with 10 minutes to play as the hosts rumbled over from a rolling maul in the right corner, and their scoring was complete shortly after as Bedworth’s supporting line saw him in for his second try of the day.

Consolation was the only word to sum up Hull’s third try with the very last play, although there was a North East connection as replacement Rob Devonshire crossed the white-wash.

The flanker was in the Newcastle Falcons side when they won the 2001 Tetley’s Bitter Cup final by beating Harlequins at Twickenham, and he gave a powerful try from close-quarters.