Caldy leave it late to beat Westoe

Mar 16 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

Caldy 41 Westoe 39

CALDY edged a dramatic game at Paton Field with a cheeky converted try from Man of the Match Craig Ross in the 78th minute after Caldy had been chasing the Shieldsmen for the entire game.

Caldy produced an excellent fight back in the second half having gone in at half time 27-10 behind and looking like they were heading for defeat for the second successive week.

Westoe scored first through a forwards try when number eight Jonathan Okwe Pearson barged his way over the line and Bedworth converted. Andrew Soutar hit straight back for the home side after good work from Craig Ross and Vasey levelled the score with a good conversion.

Vasey edged Caldy ahead with a penalty and Bedworth hit straight back to level the scores again.

Pearson-Okwe scored another converted try for Westoe which was followed by an excellent solo try from James Clarke who ran half of the length of the pitch to score under the posts.

On the stroke of half time, Bedworth kicked a long range penalty for the visitors to leave the scores 27-10 at half time to the visitors.

Caldy scored four tries in the second half. The first try came from Adam Aigbokhae after a number of plays from the Caldy backs.

Westoe hit straight back through Gareth Nesbitt to stretch Westoe’s lead back to 17 points.

Dan Rowlands got on the end of an excellent move with a sublime pass from Andrew Soutar and Vasey converted from the touchline.

On 59 minutes, Caldy were awarded a penalty try after Craig Ross was brought down with an illegal tackle and Vasey converted the try to bring Caldy within three. Caldy had the bit between their teeth and Vasey notched a penalty to bring the scores level before Joseph Maw scored to quieten the home crowd.

On 78 minutes, as it looked like the game was slipping away, Craig Ross took a quick tap penalty five metres out and powered over the line. Rich Vasey held his nerve to kick the conversion to win the game and Caldy held out the visitors until the final whistle.

A great spectacle for rugby fans.

GARETH DAVIES