Weston make it through to county final

Weston eased into the final to be played against Old Reds, but not before North Petherton had put up spirited resistance in their bid to hang on to the Somerset Cup, and showed why they are amongst the front runners in their League.
In true Cup tradition, the lower ranked team came out with all guns blazing. Weston, on the contrary, were somewhat lethargic, making errors and conceding early ground and Pethy took the lead after only six minutes with a well worked try through their backs for a 5-0 lead.
The Seasiders responded, working their way downfield for Mackay to slot what was to become a rare event…a penalty to Weston!
The same player crossed for a try under the posts after 37 minutes when an astute chip over the top left the Pethy rush defence stranded. This was converted for a 10-5 lead but NP responded immediately from the restart and converted a penalty to close to within two points, which is how it stayed until half time.
Normal service was resumed in the second half. Westons’ forward strength, physicality and lineout efficacity began to tell with frequent and concerted attacks on the opposition line as the Seasiders dominated territorially. NP defended stoutly and the normally highly effective WSM forward driving game was limited to only two tries, although a punitive second half penalty count of 10-2 in favour of Pethy regularly helped to relieve pressure and doubtless keep the score down.
The forwards drove hooker Burge over for a try after the hour, well converted from the touchline, and Sparks touched down for a similar score ten minutes later, also converted for WSM to lead comfortably at 24-8 and the match effectively won. NP, to their credit, continued to try to play open rugby through their backs but Westons early lethargy had disappeard and the midfield defence held firm. There was also vastly improved running and handling from the backs which kept Pethy on the back foot.
A consolation try in the last minute awarded to NP following a rare visit to Weston territory had an air of inevitability about it but was of little consequence although one had to admire the accuracy of the cross kick which gave the winger space to wriggle over.

Weston team… Burns (Young), Watkins, Thompson, Smee, Jones, Mackay, Bennett, Swann (Price), Withers (Burge), Hobbs (Donegan),
Glen, Russell (Wright), Eaton, Morrissey, Sparks.