Loughborough Students 31 Westoe 12

May 22 2011 Sunday Sun

THE Students just about deserved their win and with it a promotion play-off, but were rather flattered by the scoreline.

Overall, Westoe can be well satisfied with fourth top spot and 23 victories in just their second season in National Two North.

And their superior pack power put them in control for much of this stamina-sapping game in sunshine and temperatures in the seventies.

But at the end of the day Loughborough’s slick and speedy backs brought four tries – all converted by fly-half Matt Keville – and a trip to Jersey on Saturday to decide who is elevated to National One.

It was the Shieldsmen who took a third-minute lead when fly-half Charlie Rayner intercepted 25 metres out and sped over, his conversion kick hitting the post.

But the Students responded quickly with a penalty by Keville and a try by flanker Fred Silcock, who burst his way through two tackles to score.

The hosts went further ahead with tries by centres Andy Hall and Joe Monroe before No 7 Ben Morris touched down from a powerful driven scrum, with Rayner converting to make it 24-12 at the interval.

After the resumption, Westoe pressed hard but chances were wasted and a touchdown by centre David Haswell disallowed. They continued to press and it was against the run of play in the 74th minute when winger Russell Weir touched down to settle matters.