Seasiders overcome stern test in the Forest

Weston travelled to Newent knowing this would be their sternest test so far this season and facing a side that had not lost at home for 3 seasons.

From the outset the Gloucester outfit proved to be very robust opponents but Weston's forwards soon had the home pack on the back foot and had forced an error which resulted in James Mackay's simple penalty from 30 meters. From the restart Weston were on the attack with forwards and backs combining through a number of phases before Mackay's slick pass saw Jones slice through the defence with a characteristic run at a searching angle to score a fine try near the posts. With 15 minutes gone Weston were two scores clear at 0-10.

This was the pattern for most of the first half. With the wind at their backs, excellent tackling and with forwards and backs attacking at every opportunity Weston were creating all the chances and forcing plenty of errors. On 18 minutes MacKay slotted his second penalty and Weston looked to be in control with a 13 point lead.

Weston's number eight Tom Crossman, who had been in fine form along with Bignell and the ever improving Spelman, was unlucky to be yellow carded. Newent might have expected that this would redress the balance and allow them to build some momentum but Weston had other ideas and they increased the intensity of their game and forced another two penalties converted by MacKay. Two further chances were narrowly missed when MacKay attempted a penalty from over 50 metres and Dickson had another which fell just short from over 60 metres. Nevertheless Weston went into half time with a very satisfactory 19-0 lead.

In the second half Newent threw everything at Weston and with the wind at their backs they might have expected to erode Weston's lead. Whilst Newent's defence had been physical and potentially intimidating, Weston were clinical in their execution of tackles and limited Newent to two penalties, kicked by skipper Webb.

The last quarter was all Weston and they pressed strongly for a second try and with the Newent 12 Gellert yellow carded, they came very close several times but were happy to settle for a further two penalties by James MacKay for Weston to run out very worthy winners by 25-6, taking Newent's unbeaten home game run and with other results going their way, seizing an early lead at the top of the SW1 league table.

Weston will justifiably be delighted with their first class defensive work and the quality of their attacking game against one of the best sides they will face this season.

They will be hoping for further success next Saturday when they face bottom of the table Chard at the Rec. Previously this had been scheduled for a Friday night game but supporters will want to know that the game will be a normal Saturday game with the kick off at 3 pm