Strong second half sees Seasiders home

Weston started this seventh game of the SW1 league very brightly winning back possession from their kick off. They worked the ball through two phases and then spun it wide and with Matt Watkins coming in from the opposite wing, he interchanged passes with right wing Will Young before taking a return pass and scoring a good try. MacKay missed the conversion and home supporters may have felt that this might be the start of a simple affair.
Clevedon however had other ideas and played with great industry and pace, upsetting Weston's pattern of play and setting up some chances for themselves. Both Weston's James MacKay and Clevedon's Kieran Hill missed penalties but after half an hour things swung Clevedon's way and Hill scored 3 penalties in five minutes. With the score at 5-9 Weston felt that they had carried the ball into touch but Clevedon's backs spun the ball away quickly and found prop Largenton who scored a try at the posts. The conversion from Hill gave Clevedon a half time lead of 5-16.
The second half continued to be frenetic and Weston pulled back with a penalty from MacKay.
Further enterprising play from Clevedon saw them come close to the Weston line several times before Weston's defence finally ran out as hooker Matthew Honour scored a try under the posts converted by Hill.
With Clevedon 8-23 in front things looked bad for Weston but they exerted tremendous pressure from the forwards and following a series of penalties near the posts, at which Weston opted to scrummage they were finally awarded a penalty try.
Weston tails were up and the remaining 25 minutes were dominated by Weston who ran and carried strongly. A great move off the back of the scrum saw Tuttiett scoot through for a try converted by MacKay.
Weston's pressure continued and the Clevedon defence failed as Weston forced the pace and Bignell ran through to score the bonus point try. Mackay converted putting Weston 29-23 in front, a lead that they were not to lose despite a last effort from Clevedon. Weston's defence was now looking better than during the whole game and eventually Clevedon conceded a penalty which allowed MacKay to make a good clearance kick and the referee blew for full time.
Weston will be relieved to have come through against tough opposition in this keenly contested and very physical game. They remain top of SW1 W six points clear of second placed Newent, ahead of their trip to Okehampton this weekend.