Caldy 36 Westoe 29

Nov 13 2011 Sunday Sun

A HORROR injury to Caldy fly-half Richard Vasey overshadowed an exciting, controversial encounter in National League 2 North.

With minutes remaining, Vasey went down under a pile of players and the reactions of the players and referee Greg McDonald instantly told of its severity with the fly-half suffering a suspected dislocated and broken ankle.

The game began with both sides trading early penalties inside the first 13 minutes with Vasey and Westoe fly-half Mark Bedworth both successful on two occasions each.

Westoe then took hold of the game when winger Tommy Banks rounded off a good move to go over with Bedworth converting.

On 29 minutes, however, Caldy pulled level against the run of play with a try in the corner from winger Liam Devaney. Bedworth converted two more penalties on 31 and 34 minutes respectively to make it 19-13 to the Shieldsmen at half-time.

Then controversy at the start of the second half resulted in Caldy winger Andrew Soutar going over after a quick lineout from the kick-off.

Westoe lock Iain Robinson was on the end of a high tackle that McDonald deemed fair but his protesting cost him a spell in the sin bin.

Among all the confusion, Caldy were awarded a penalty on the halfway line which Vasey converted. Once the game settled, a try from Westoe centre James Walker put the Shieldsmen back into the lead.

Minutes later, Caldy took the lead with Soutar converting after a quick passing move despite Westoe complaining there was a forward pass in the build-up. Vasey kicked another penalty and a drop goal with the clock running down before his moment of horror.

Bedworth kicked a penalty with the last touch to give the South Tynesiders a bonus point.