Weston secure away win at Pethy

On a day in which both sides faced a freezing wind, Weston returned with a hard fought win, but may regret two late missed opportunities which would have secured a four try bonus point.

Playing down the slope in the first half, the visitors got off too the perfect start when skipper George Sparks, who was outstanding throughout, intercepted inside his own half and sped away to score. The first twenty minutes saw the visitors dominate possession and create a series of half chances. and two penalties from outside half Dan Lomax, extended their lead to 11 - 0.

However, the control somewhat unravelled in the next ten minutes as the home side fought back firstly through a penalty, and then via a strong run from veteran Hancock, who found his opposite winger Stevens to run in from 60 meters to reduce the deficit to three points.

Lomax calmed things down with a further long range penalty, but after a series of offences, Pethy took a quick penalty and Kohler scored an unconverted try to bring the score to 14-13 to Weston.

With half time approaching flanker Shaun Eaton stole the ball at a breakdown thirty metres out and sped away to score under the posts and with a further conversion from Lomax, the half time whistle went with Weston in the lead by 21 points to 13.

The second half saw Weston dominate possession, without creating too many scoring chances, as the freezing conditions affected the quality of play, and they extended their lead midway through the half, again courtesy of the boot of Lomax. The score remained at 24 points to 13 until the final five minutes, when the Weston scrum finally got a return for the supremacy they had shown throughout the game and skipper Sparks touched down for his second try of the day, and a deserved score to reflect his own performance.

This seemed to liven the visitors up and a long range break from full back Young saw him fall just short of the try line, with Weston knocking on at the ensuing breakdown, and with the last play of the game, as a try seemed certain, Weston were brought back for a forward pass.

Weston will be pleased with the performance of their front row of Jake Whatley, on his first league start, Ollie Streeter, and Mike Hocking, all of whom carried well throughout and gave their opponents a difficult afternoon in the set piece, and restricting any further score from their opponents in the second half, but there is further work to do to ensure they get full value in terms of scoring from the efforts and opportunities they are creating.

Next Saturday, Weston are at home to Wells, kick off 2.30pm