One Step closer for Seasiders

This was the first visit to the recreation ground for Okehampton and they brought a young side brimming with confidence as they have established themselves in SW1W
Weston however started the brighter and faster team and they ran the ball hard at the Okehampton defence. Using fast ball and attacking wide Weston made good progress towards the try line and after just four minutes Webb was on hand to touch down for the host’s first try converted by Mackay.
Continued Weston pressure saw them go close to the line and the attack resulted in a penalty by Mackay to give Weston an early 10 point lead.
Okehampton weathered the storm of Weston’s attack and began to put together some good possession and their backs ran well. Weston’s defence remained secure despite an unlucky yellow card for Weston’s hooker Tom Hocking. Okehampton continued to run the ball wide and in the fifth minute of injury time at the end of the first half they found a gap and their flanker ran through to score a try under the posts. The teams turned round with Weston holding a narrow 10-7 advantage.
Weston’s performance in the second half was more assured although Okehampton defended well and ran well when they had possession. However Weston scored a great try when after a number of phases Weston moved the ball quickly through their backs and with a sweetly timed pass from Chris Young, making his 150 first team appearance, Matt Watkins was put away with just enough room to score in the corner. Mackay converted from the touchline.
Just six minutes later Weston repeated the trick and this time replacement full back Godfrey, on for the injured Dickson, put Watkins away for his second try. He was injured in the process and the conversion was missed but Weston looked to be about to take full control. Watkins was replaced by flanker Bryan Webb who had earlier made way for Billy Kirk to make his debut in the back row.
Okehampton continued to defend well and to disrupt any pattern of play that Weston attempted but Weston were able to score again on the left wing after another typical swift movement of the ball and Webb was on hand to touch down for his second and Weston’s bonus point try.
Okehampton to their credit never gave up and scored a try after numerous phases to bring the score to 27- 14. They were denied a third try as a result of a double movement right at the end of full time and Weston retained their unbeaten record with a performance that was lacking in the best possible execution of prepared plans and was peppered with simple errors. Weston now need just 10 points from their remaining games to secure promotion but will be keen to raise their game and finish the season with some better performances.
This match saw James Mackay continue his excellent point scoring return, having passed 250 points the week before at Clevedon. James has reached this milestone in record time, taking just 18 games this year.
Next week they face Chard away, the third day attempt to complete this fixture following an abandoned game due to floodlight failure and a waterlogged pitch more recently.