Weston lose out in tight match

WESTON were 17 points in arrears after only 10 minutes at the Imperial Ground, but by the interval they had fought their way back to level matters.

They were level again at 20-all by the 56th minute and again at 23 each in the 72nd. But with six minutes of normal time remaining the hosts scored a vital try, and in time added they kicked a controversial penalty to deny the Seasiders of what would have been a deserved bonus point.

The Cockles were ahead after only four minutes with George Meadows’ penalty and the fly-half was soon converting a try by left wing Tom Kill

Direct from the restart, Kill was in again at the left corner with Meadows converting for that 17 point advantage, but Weston were soon on the scoreboard.

Exmouth were penalised and skipper George Sparks opted for a five metre line-out from which Jamie Rudkin scored and the flanker repeated the score seven minutes later following a strong drive by Gavin Simpson. It was Rudkin’s 11th try of the campaign.

Mal Roberts added the goal points and on the half-hour, quick hands by the midfield put Matthew Watkins in. The try went unconverted but the Seasiders were now back on level terms.

Twelve minutes into the second half Meadows kicked his second penalty but Weston replied with a similar score from James Mackay, who had come off the bench to replace the injured Andrew Evans. Another Meadows penalty arrived after Roberts was yellow carded, but once again Mackay equalised.

But a sweeping move by Exmouth which covered 50 metres gave a try to No 8 Dave Kimberley and in stoppage time, Meadows nailed his fourth penalty to seal the match.

It was the 15th time that the Seasiders had been penalised against a mere five for the hosts and it was awarded as the Exmouth pack was in retreat at a rate of knots at a set scrum, a mystifying decision.

Weston: C Young, P Sprague, A Evans (J Mackay 50), G Wright, M Watkins, M Roberts (sinbin 70), J Reid, S Donegan (M Truscott 85), D Burge (G Cooper 82), D Swann, A Glen, G Sparks (c), J Rudkin, R Bignell, G Simpson.

Weston can consider themselves unfortunate to come away from this match pointless, especially after the recovery from their awful start. But that opening 10 minutes cost them dear and they must eradicate those defensive errors when they entertain league newcomers Amersham and Chiltern on Saturday (2.30pm).