Westoe Colts 35 Tynesett Colts 33
Sometimes in life, you don’t get what you deserve, but simply what you get.
That reality will rarely seem more harsh than it did today for a squad of players whose performance richly deserved the victory which still eludes them this season.

And while the fact that this was a cup tie made defeat even tougher to take, a performance unrecognisable from the meek second-half surrenders of recent weeks should do more than soothe the sting.
It should show this squad a brighter road ahead.

Five tries, umpteen minutes spent deep in enemy territory and a host of superb individual performances put markers down for the rest of the season, albeit one which will now focus solely on league action.
But for some questionable decisions when camped in Westoe’s 22, Tynesett would surely have claimed a victory even more comfortable than was promised by the 33-21 lead they held after 60 minutes.
The first 10 minutes showed immediate and marked improvement on recent weeks, as the visitors dominated territory and possession.
But a missed tackle sparked a Westoe break-out and - eventually, after suspicion of a forward pass - a canny pick and go for a converted try.
Tynesett’s response, though, spoke volumes, with skipper Aaron Parkins - having already made ground with a couple of superb early runs - taking responsibility off the back of a well-worked line-out to surge over in the corner.
More visiting pressure followed, but Westoe’s dogged defence stood firm until another swift counter-attack caught Tynesett napping and saw the hosts score out wide themselves, with a fine kick adding the extras.
But back came the away side, whose commitment to front-foot rugby never wavered, and was encapsulated when the indefatigable Fox Thorpe’s pick and go took him to within a foot of the line, only for a blatant high tackle to deny him a score, but prompt an open-and-shut penalty try award.
The first of Alfred Stanton’s three excellent conversions followed, to leave Westoe 14-12 ahead at half-time.
But better was to follow.
Soon after the restart, excellent, direct running by Thomas Wilson and Nicholas Newsham set up a chance for Khanel Williams to dance and then barrel his way over the line for another converted score.
Five minutes later, more sustained pressure saw the ball again fed to Khanel, who bounced two tackles before touching down through sheer force of will.

Crucially, though, a switch-off from the resulting Westoe kick-off saw possession offered up and, after a penalty award, the home side scored under the posts to bring the scoreline back to 21-26.

But then, 20 minutes from time, Thomas W left us all daring to dream, high-stepping his way over the line and seeing Alfred slot over the best of his conversions to stretch the lead to 12 points.
But the struggle to snaffle possession from another kick-off, compounded by a missed tackle, saw Westoe touch down in the right corner, and kick a fine conversion of their own to make it 28-33.
Then, the dagger blow, as Westoe scored again - under the posts, courtesy of an outstanding, knifing 70-yard run off the back of a scrum in their own 22.

Even then, Tynesett threw everything into the last five minutes, and earned several penalties deep in enemy territory with the promise of a glorious sting in the tale.

But, again, fierce Westoe defending saw them somehow survive.
Of course, the final whistle brought fierce disappointment. But the abiding emotions from the day were pride and hope

Neil Farrington