Dobbler dots in three tries as West Norfolk win opener

West Norfolk made the best possible start to the new season with a comprehensive 57-0 victory over Crusaders on Saturday.James Dobbler ran in three tries and Jack Wicks kicked six conversions as the new campaign was ushered in at Gatehouse Lane in what should be a pivotal year for the club and the team.Other try scorers in a dominant display were: Jack Wicks (2), Angus Williams (2), Lucas St Helaire and Josh Burgess.Heading into their centenary year and first season under a new coach, the men’s first team came out onto the pitch with an agenda and as soon as the whistle blew, they immediately showed their intentions.Strong carries were made by Charlie Long, Dobbler and Edney Costa before recycling the ball well and using the space out wide.Sustained pressure in the Crusaders’ 22-yard area led to a West scrum and rewarded the hosts with a pushover try for Dobbler.A few minutes later, a fantastic snipe from scrum-half Ethan Young, who off-loaded to Jack Wicks close to the line, with Wicks carrying the ball over to score his first try of the new season. After returning a Crusaders kick with some excellent expansive play from Josh Burgess, Wicks and George Lemon, Wicks found Dobbler in space in the visitor’s half with a long pass. Dobbler carried the ball through tackles and crashed his way to the line for another unchallenged score.The next try, just minutes later, again saw Dobbler heavily involved.Dobbler fielded the restart and charged out of the defensive line before finding Conor Clarke, who immediately made ground before subsequently finding St Helaire on the wing for an uncontested run-in. Just before half-time, another Crusaders kick found Wicks under the ball, who spread it to Lemon, who kicked into another gear to reach the 22-yard line untouched.Crusaders eventually forced a knock-on on the five-metre line but West proceeded to win the ball against them and yet again Dobbler ploughed over from the base of the ruck. The home side’s next try came from a lineout on the halfway line followed by a quick break and some textbook handling through the squad, ending in Lemon playing in Williams to score.Maintained their attacking structure as the game approached its end, the middle pod of Lewis Rudd, Joe Whitaker and Tyler Pepper took the ball into contact and recycled well before Wicks exploited a hole in the Crusaders’ defensive line to score under the posts. After recycling the ball quickly in the pods three minutes later, Angus Williams took a short pass from Wicks and danced over the line for his second try in front of a jubilant home crowd.The final try came from a lineout on the Crusaders’ 22 where a solid attacking maul and swift hands saw Man-of-the-Match St Helaire finish a dominant day at the office by putting Burgess in the corner.West Norfolk are back at home this weekend when they host Woodbridge (3pm). All support is welcomed.