Seasiders sunk at Sonning
Match report by Bob Hedges, photos courtesy of Paul Bignell
REDINGENSIANS scored six converted tries at Sonning as Weston slipped to their eighth defeat of the season.
The home pack gave the Seasiders a torrid time, especially at the set scrums and it provided a solid base for their powerful back division.
But the match was not as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. The Weston line-out went well in the first half and reward arrived in the 30th minute.
Defending inside their own 22, Ashley Russell stole a Redingensians throw-in, and from near to their own line, full-back James Letherby made a searing break to halfway before releasing Matthew Watkins who easily outran two defenders for a stunning try.
But before that, home full-back Will Clarke had scored a brace of tries, converting both and before the break, referee Phil Watters awarded a converted penalty try to the hosts for an interval score of 21-5.
Weston started the second half brightly with Mal Roberts’ 35 metre penalty, but by now, the home pack were getting on top and they added a try by Shaun Brown, Clarke converting again.
Injury then struck at Richard Bignell, David Swann and George Kimmins who all retired to be replaced by Shaun Eaton, David Price and Seb Harris.
Nevertheless, the Seasiders never stopped trying and a break by Jamie Rudkin almost brought a score for James Arnold.
But during the final 10 minutes they tired visibly and the hosts finished things off with tries by England Sevens wing Mark Odejobi and Robbie Stapely, both converted by Clarke.
Weston: J Letherby, J Arnold, A Evans, G Kimmins (S Harris 74), M Watkins, M Roberts, R Bennett, D Swann (D Price 28), D Burge, S Donegan, H Somers, A Russell, J Rudkin, R Bignell (S Eaton 28), G Sparks (c).
