Rugby fans in Weston had been keenly anticipating this local derby and a crowd of 1500 were at the Recreation Ground on a perfect day for rugby. Weston were on top from the kick off securing possession and driving towards the line. They were awarded a penalty and opted for a kick to the corner. From the resulting catch and drive it was Mike Hocking who scored the opening try, his sixth in four games. Glenn Dickson got the extras with just three minutes on the clock.
Hornets forced their way back into the game but they could only manage a penalty by Charlie Carter.
Weston worked their way back into Hornets territory and were rewarded with a second penalty kicked by Dickson.
As possession ebbed and flowed it was Hornets who were next to score with a second penalty for Carter and with just over 20 minutes gone the score was 10 -6 to the home side.
Weston were being forced into errors at the breakdown by Hornets vigorous rucking and Ollie Streeter was yellow carded. This should have given the visitors an advantage but Weston upped their game and at a scrummage, with Toby Hill at tight head the Weston pack secured good possession and they worked the ball through three phases with Dickson on hand to force his way over for Weston’s second try.
Restored to 15 men Weston had two good chances to score which the Hornets defence managed to hold out and it was they who broke clear. They raced down field and Carter was on hand to finish a move and with a conversion attempt missed the visitors were at 17 -11 down at half time.
The second half started with Weston showing dominance at the set piece and the look of a side who knew how to convert pressure into points. Dickson slotted a penalty to widen the lead but Hornets showed great industry especially at the breakdown. Steve Pape was yellow carded and Weston stepped on the gas and scored a fine try after a long period of possession. The try was touched down by Dickson who also got the conversion. A few minutes later and he was on the score card again with his third penalty of the afternoon, and Weston led by 30-11.
Hornets showed good determination and strung together some good play orchestrated by scrum half Disney who had looked very effective all game. Their reward was a try, converted by Carter.
However it was to be Weston who had the final say and they carried the ball relentlessly at the Hornets defence and as the clock ticked into time added on a series of moves was finished by prop Ollie Streeter who crashed over near the posts for the bonus point try. Dickson hit his fourth conversion of the game which took his personal tally to 27 and Weston into a final score of 37 -18. Dickson will be having quite a celebration as this was also his 65th first team appearance earning him a coveted blazer badge.
The Weston fans were delighted with this result that they have waited three years for and which puts Weston into sixth place in South West Premier, whilst Hornets remain rooted at the bottom of the table, but whose industry surely deserves a better position.
Next week Weston travel to Maidenhead seeking their fifth win in succession and the chance to move another place up the table.

Match report courtesy of Andy Ballard and match photos from Andrew Collins