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Squad depth shown..

After two league defeats on the bounce (to the top 2 teams) West returned to winning ways in some style against Beaufort RFC in league 3 East C.

With seven players unavailable due to injury or work commitments this game was a good test of the squad depth  that West have this season and this was shown with a first start for over a year for Gavin Wheatstone, a league debut for winger Kaine Jones and a place on the bench for Connor Clark.

West showed their intent from the start with some big tackles by Daniel ‘Dukey’ Gibbings, Connor Witcombe and Luke Royal plus a high defensive work rate by all the team which has been their trademark this season.

This seemed to shock Beaufort who were struggling to put any phases together and quickly had their ball turned over with a interception that needed a try line saving tackle to prevent the opening score.

But now West were starting to up the tempo stringing several phases together and a resultant  penalty saw scrumhalf Dion Perry take a quick tap which ended in his opposite number receiving a yellow card for an illegal tackle.

 Although the next penalty was very kickable, West kicked to the corner and although the subsequent lineout drive was stopped, the evergreen Duane ‘Dad’ Gardner picked up at the base of the ruck and dived over for the opening try.

Credit to Beaufort  as this try seemed to wake them up and after some good attacks of their own got into West’s 22 only again to lose the ball after a Dan ‘Dukey’ Gibbings tackle and jackal.  With the home side on the counter attack the ball came out to centre Jake Wells  who beat 3 players with ease to score West’s 2^nd try, converted by Craig ‘Buff’ Buffin. 

West now had their tails up and the outstanding centre Jake Wells took full advantage to score his 2^nd of the game with a class finish, converted by Buff to give a half time score of 19-0.

Although the second half saw West playing against the strong wind,  their 1^st half dominance continued and  another wonderful break by Jake Wells created space for his cousin Jon Wells to scamper in for the bonus point try, converted by Buff.

West were now looking to open up with the forwards and backs interlinking with ease and creating gaps everywhere.

Again Jake Wells was the architect of the next score as he skipped  past defenders with ease before releasing speedster Alex Willcox to score a try, converted by Buff.

West then made use of the bench to bring some fresh legs which continued the homeside's dominance with captain Luke Shelton leading from the front both in attack and defence.

After series of attacks took play into Beaufort’s 22, a forward grunt resulted in prop Scotty Leonard showed his power and rugby knowledge by touching the ball against the base of the post to score West’s  6^th try, converted by Buff.

After this Beaufort finally started to string some phases together and crossed for a deserved try of their own.  However this seemed to raise West more than Beaufort and with the latter trying to attack on half way, a huge tackle by Jake Wells put the visitors under pressure and led to an interception by Alex Willcox to run 50 yards and score his 2^nd try of the game, which took him passed 100 points in his club career.

A very pleasing return to winning ways and squad depth shown.

Man of the match – Jake Wells

Match Squad – 1: Scott Leonard, 2: Richard ‘Beppe’ James, 3: Duane ‘Dad’ Gardner, 4: Luke Shelton (C), 5: Gavin Wheatstone, 6: Patrick Daly, 7: Daniel ‘Dukey’ Gibbings, 8: Connor Witcombe, 9: Dion Perry, 10: Craig ‘Buff’ Buffin, 11: Kaine Jones, 12: Luke Royal, 13: Jake Wells, 14: Alex Willcox, 15: Jon Wells, 16: Craig Weaver, 17: Dafydd Thomas, 18: Richard Prosser, 19: Connor Clark, 20: Tim Atkinson.

C'mon West/Dewch ymlaen Gorllewin