Chew Valley 61 Weston super Mare 6

Weston implode despite promising start
Report by Chris Heath

With the late withdrawal of the influential centre Huw Morgan allied to a less than one hundred per cent Gary Carpenter at hooker, Weston were on current form going to be up against it at a buoyant Chew Valley.

Scrums were always going to be a battle, with the Seasiders having the best of the early engagements. Ultimately, the final score did not reflect a somewhat disjointed game.

Off a scrum on their own 22, three phases later, a show and go and a run to the line led to a converted Chew try. The visitors looked to put width on the ball, and centre Cameron Maslen went close only to give up a penalty for holding on.

Weston then lost cornerstone of the pack Ollie Streeter with a foot injury, and veteran Steve Donegan had to play for the remainder of the game, having played for the second team the evening before.

A charged down clearance was knocked on in goal by the Seasiders flanker Callum Kingscott on 15 minutes to add to the error count for both sides. A midfield penalty by fly-half Archie Tilsley gave Weston their first points.

A series of penalties then took the visitors to within 5. A series of pick-and-goes led to a yellow for Chew flanker Tom Waddington. However, despite putting a fair bit of pressure Chew’s defence was solid, and Weston couldn't quite unlock the door.
 
A very rare drop goal from Tilsley closed the first half with Weston only eight points behind with the penalty count of 11.8.

Weston's exertions in the first half did not last long in the second, with Chew taking their chances well in the face of a tiring side. When Weston lost Kingscott to yet another injury, the writing was on the wall.

Despite a good display by Kiwi-born flanker Jay Davis and some stoic defending by wing Hayden Main, Chew showed why they are where they are, and Weston despite never giving up, ended up with a big loss which, given their first-half performance, was a bit harsh.