The West Nautical sponsored development team went into this weekends bowl final knowing that the game would be far from easy playing against a West Hartlepool side who had not lost in the league this season and were clear favourites to win this encounter.
Playing on what can only be described as perfect conditions for running rugby it was West who started the brighter of the two teams.
Kicking off with slight breeze behind them, West won their own kick off and camped themselves on Westoe's line. Had it not been for some hard hitting around the fringes from Man of the Match James Robinson and his front row compatriot Nathan Peel Westoe would surely have conceded. However, some stern defensive work and a cool headed rugby Westoe managed to survive until the 18th minute when West once again found themselves attacking the line and this time breaking through under the posts. With this came a Westoe barrage that has been lacking this season after conceding early tries.
The Westoe backs began controlling the game and territory with Graeme Tiffin kicking into space and finding touch at the right times they began to assert dominance around the park and at the set piece. After a maul collapsed 5 metres from the West Hartlepool line a scrum was awarded to Westoe and after a few pick and go moves Lewis Wilson scored the first of his two on what would become a memorable day for him and his family.
As half time approached and Westoe playing the game of their lives West got a breakaway try which was unconverted leaving the score 5-12 at the break. With some positive words in the huddle at half time and knowing that the game was their for the taking, a couple of changes were made to freshen up the back line and add more pace bringing on Jake Arnold.
With Westoe now chasing the game and knowing what was at stake they flew out of the blocks. Arnold taking the ball in his own half and running 60 metres to dot down under the posts leaving an easy conversion for Tiffin. From the kick off Westoe once again broke a few tackles from the kick off and with a sublime cross field kick Tiffin picked out Wilson who ran if for his second.
As full time loomed and the win coming closer West piled on the pressure knowing a converted try took the game to golden point extra time. And so it came... West dotting down near the posts leaving an easy conversion taking the scores to 19-19 and so arrived extra time.
West once again kicked off and caught their own restart as they worked a position into midfield the fly half dropped back into the pocket to attempt an audacious drop goal from 50 metres.
With what was now a significant breeze behind him the kick went up and looked to have the distance only fall a couple of metres short in to the arms of Jake Arnold who ran the length of the pitch and dotted down in the corner sending the sideline into hysterics with injured Manager Mikel Tate and injured Captain Tom Younghusband running 60 metres along the touch line with Arnold matching his every stride. A great display of guts and determination and a show of rugby that will live on in the memories of every one involved for years to come.

A big thanks to this seasons sponsor West Nautical whose managing director and last cup winner at Westoe Geoff Moore was in attendance to see another triumphant Westoe display. Hopefully next season can be another successful partnership between the development team and West Nautical and bring home more silverware.

A special mention to Lewis Wilson's Grandfather who has taken ill but managed to attend the game on Saturday and not only enjoy a display of great rugby from his Grandson and the team but managed to sink a few beers to celebrate. From all at South Shields Westoe RFC we wish you well and thank you for you support over the years.

Tom Younghusband