Allez les bleus!

Weston maintained their topsy turvey start to this season by winning on the road for the fourth time…if only they could do the same at home!!
They had not won at Everest Rd. for nine years but they got this particular “monkey” of their back with a committed performance against what are always doughty opponents.

Weston had made some changes to what has been a fragile midfield, with Roberts, back from injury, in at fly half to bring managerial control to the backs, Evans and Gallagher chosen to shore things up,and Mackay switched to full back, but things didn’t start well.

Pats, playing down their notorious slope, regathered their own kick off, spun the ball from the ruck, and centre Hughes found a gaping hole to put Taylor in for a soft try…..after 30 seconds!!!!

Stunned silence from the away supporters….delight from the home support.
Mackay responded with his first penalty after five minutes, and three minutes later, Roberts, Evans and Mackay combined to free Watkins on the left, and the winger, doubtless overjoyed and a little surprised to actually receive an early pass in space, beat three defenders from forty metres to touch down in the corner. Mackays conversion failed….his only miss of the match.

The home side responded. Molitika made his only break (he was to persist with the “Maori sidestep” for the rest of the match, but was hereafter well policed by the defence) to set up position and from a series of rucks close to the line, Pettigrew was unstoppable from his optimum distance of five yards. Fourteen minutes gone, 10-8 to the O.Ps.
Weston regained the lead on 25 minutes when more enterprise from the backs put Watkins in for a simpler score. Mackay converted from the touchline…15-10 to the visitors and the downhill advantage to come for the second half.

Westons’ intention to play in the OPs half did not materialise as the home team responded. They camped near Westons’ line and finally created the space for ex Coney Hill winger Davis to wriggle over in the corner after 46 minutes. Once again the conversion was missed and the teams were level.

Further pressure from the home side came to nought as Westons’ defence held firm. The competition amongst the forwards had been even, and very committed, but gradually the visitors got on top. Pats had bolstered their pack with Pettigrew and Fidler in the engine room, fully aware that past matches had been a contest between the Weston forwards and Pats backs, but inevitably they started to tire. Glen and Russell did not!

Westons’ front row had been solid all day, and after 55 minutes, OP No.8 Tapsell picked up and tried to feed his scrum half off the back off a scrum that was retreating rapidly. Ross Bennett, who enjoyed an excellent game, anticipated the interception and two passes later, Watkins was on his way to the try line, outpacing the cover from 50 metres for his hat-trick.

The last 20 minutes were played in OP territory and the visitors managed only one further try as the home side defended stoutly, inevitably scored by Watkins for a bonus point and converted by Mackay who kicked another penalty to wrap up a satisfying 32-15 win.

19 year old Seb Harris made his senior debut towards the end of the game, replacing James Mackay who moved back to fly half following the departure of Mal Roberts.

Weston team….Mackay, Watkins, Evans, Gallagher, Wright, Roberts (Harris) Bennett, Swann, Burge,
Donegan (Truscott), Glen, Russell, Sparks, Hobbs, Simpson (Eaton).