WESTON-super-Mare ran in five tries in their 36-13 away victory over basement side Cleve who, still looking for their first win of the season with five games to play, will be relegated at the end of this campaign

The Seasiders quickly took a grip on the game as right wing George Wright gave the scoring pass to full back Joe Waterman for the first touchdown before the forwards and backs linked-up to put No.8 Gavin Simpson in for the second.

Fly-half James Mackay converted both for a 14-nil lead after just ten minutes but then the visitors suffered a double set-back as Simpson went off injured and be replaced by Shaun Eaton for his debut.

Then, with 15 minutes of the half remaining, flanker Richard Bignall was yellow carded but Mackay increased the visitors lead with a penalty only for his opposite number, Gareth Knox responded with a penalty.

Weston went into the break 22-3 ahead after hooker Craig Withers seized on a charge-down kick to score Weston's third try. But Knox reduced the arrears with a second penalty early in the second half.

It wasn't until the game had gone in to the final quarter that the Seasiders secured a bonus point try as Wright intercepted a pass to put scrum half Ross Bennett through to the visitors fourth try.

Mackay added the conversion but Cleve kept battling away to score their first try of the game with ten minutes remaining as lock Mark Parry got the touchdown with Knox adding the extras.

Then a a break from deep inside his own half by outside centre Jon Gallagher led to Weston's sealing the game as Eaton went over for the visitors fifth try, again converted by Mackay.

Cleve: George Perry; Tom Edolls, Neil Gapper, Sam Britton (Otto Avent, 18), Nick Lear; Gareth Knox, Josh Mortimore; Ollie Coles, Matt Parfitt, Andy O'Donnell (Paddy Foley, 28-33), Mark Parry, Matt Lane, Dan Lear, Scott Edwards, Sam Roach.
Rep (not used): Craig Short.
Scorers - try: Mark Parry; con: Gareth Knox; pens: Gareth Knox.

Weston-super-Mare: Joe Waterman, George Wright, Jon Gallagher, Chris Young, Paul Sprague; James Mackay, Ross Bennett; Dave Swann (Steve Donegan, 69), Craig Withers, Steve Donegan (Simon Williams, ht), Andrew Glen, Ashley Russell, George Sparks, Richard Bignall, Gavin Simpson (Shaun Eaton, 12).
Rep (not used): James Reid.
Scorers - tries: Joe Waterman, Gavin Simpson, Craig Withers, Ross Bennett, Shaun Eaton. cons: James Mackay (4); pen: James Mackay.
Yellow Card: Richard Bignall (25).

In the weekend's other games, Hartpury College ran in ten tries, including five from No.8 Graeme Lawler, in their 70-7 home win over Bridgwater & Albion while Bournemouth remain second with a 42-12 win at Newton Abbott.

A late try from replacement Tom Law secured a 28-27 home win for Old Patesians against Barnstaple while Redingensians won 42-17 at Oxford Harlequins.

The other two sides, along with Cleve, in the relegation zone remains unchanged with Coney Hill losing 42-17 at home to Chinnor, while Cheltenham lost 40-19 away to Exmouth.

Next Saturday Weston are away to Bournemouth before travelling to Hyde Park on the Wednesday (March 23) to face Taunton on the semi-final of the Somerset Cup - a repeat of last season's final - when Weston retained the Cup.

Match details

Match date

Sat 12 Mar 2011

Kickoff

14:30

Meet time

12:00

Instructions

Weston make three changes from the side that won 34-17 at home to Oxford Harlequins last weekend for Saturday's match at Cossham Street against Cleve who are still looking for their first win of the season.

Scrum half Ross Bennett plus centres Chris Young and Kirk Middlemiss replace Jack Conway, Dewey Swartbooi and Steve Thompson (all injured) in the Weston side.

Flanker Shaun Eaton is included for the first time on the bench after his move from Wells having shown lots of ability and enthusiasm playing in the back row for the United to earn his chance.

"Even though Cleve are without a victory in the league this season they will want to gain a victory over their nearest neighbours," said Weston's chairman of rugby Mark Philp.

"Over the years games between us have always been very close hard fought encounters, we have no reason to believe that anything will change on Saturday.

"They deserve full respect and we will prepare accordingly, this is another big game for us and as we have done in recent games we will endeavour to put in a 80 minute performance, which if we do will give us every chance of winning.

"Even though Cleve will probably be relegated this season they will not want to go down without winning a game, we will have to be on top of our game to make sure we do not become their first victims of the season.

"Our recent form has improved and a win on Saturday will give us confidence going into the final quarter of the season and our quest to finish as high up the division as possible."

Cleve need to win this weekend, and hope that other results go in their favour, if they are to mount a late dash to avoid relegation. But the Seasiders were the 19-3 winners when the sides last met in November.

Neil Gapper moves to full back for Cleve, Tom Eddolls switches to the right wing with Sam Britton moving to the left with Dan Brown coming in to the centre to partner Nathan Huntley.

In the pack Olly Coles is at loosehead prop with Matt Parfitt at hooker, Matt Lane moves to the second row to partner Mark Parry with Dan Lear returning from injury at blindside flanker.

Cleve (home v Weston-super-Mare, 2.30pm): Neil Gapper; Tom Eddolls, Dan Brown, Nathan Huntley, Sam Britton; Gareth Knox, Josh Mortimore; Olly Coles, Matt Parfitt, Andy O'Donnell, Mark Parry, Matt Lane, Dan Lear, Otto Avent, Sam Roach (capt). Reps: Scott Edwards, Patrick Foley, Ben Breeze.

Competition

National League 3 South West

Team overview