Head West Norfolk coach Jamie Williamson praised his side’s attitude after they brushed aside Newmarket 45-10 to make it back-to-back wins in the Eastern Counties 1st Division.
“We needed to approach this game with the right mindset,” said Williamson.
“My message was simple; the only expectation was that every player left the field with their head held high, knowing they had given everything. They didn’t disappoint.
“It felt like another step forward from the Ely game, and if we can keep reviewing our performances each week, learning and improving even in small ways, I’ll be a happy man.”
His players duly delivered in Suffolk, producing a commanding all-round performance against last season’s league runners-up.
West were without the services of newcomers Angus Flint and Will (Bob) Langfer, but they were boosted by the return of several familiar faces.
Last season’s standout youngster Joe Whittaker slotted in at hooker, Josh Burgess returned at full-back, Sam Landles lined up in the centre, and the experienced Shaun Mowbray added depth from the bench.
Newmarket, buoyant after a convincing win at Ipswich YM, began brightly and tested the West defence with a series of strong carries.
But the visitors stood firm, and fly-half Jack Trundley’s clever kicking soon turned the tide.
From one such kick, West claimed clean lineout ball and launched a powerful rolling maul before second-row Jeremy Darley crashed over for the opening try.
Two further scores followed before the interval, another maul finished in the corner, and then a sharp move from the base of the scrum by James Dobbler, who released Layton Toll to score.
Newmarket managed to reply with a penalty to trail 3-17 at the break.
The home side briefly threatened a comeback after half-time when their winger darted through a gap to score.
But West’s response was ruthless.
A midfield turnover allowed skipper Jack Wicks to pin Newmarket deep, and Dobbler, later named Man of the Match for his relentless tackling and strong running, pounced on the loose possession to set up Jacob Chapman’s try.
From there, West pulled away. George Lemon’s break ended with a penalty try after he was stopped illegally, before William “Moose” Allen powered over to cap a dominant afternoon.
