Dismal display sends Seasiders to loss
Match report by Bob Hedges and photos courtesy of Andrew Collins
THIS was easily Weston’s poorest display of the season. Knock-ons were plentiful, penalties to relieve pressure failed to find the touchline and turnover ball ran into double figures.
The Seasiders’ defence was generally good but it finally cracked at the end in the second minute of time added when the visitors’ fly-half Joe Hall crossed for the decisive try which he also converted.
The hosts should have been ahead in the eighth minute following strong drives by Ashley Russell and Jamie Rudkin but acting skipper Mal Roberts was unable to convert a penalty from in front of the posts.
But, 10 minutes later, solid driving by the pack earned another penalty and this time, centre James Letherby was on target for his first points for the club.
Hall replied soon afterwards in similar fashion to level matters, but Weston then took the lead again with a superb try.
Rudkin won a line-out at the rear and Roberts’ cut-out pass put Letherby through a huge gap for Matthew Watkins to cross for his 14th try of the season. Letherby converted but Hall’s second penalty followed.
In first half stoppage time Weston were offered another penalty inside the Reds’ 22, but Roberts opted for the touchline and although hooker Craig Withers went close from the drive, the interval score remained at 10-6.
The second half started with the Seasiders on the attack but Letherby’s penalty attempt struck the left post and within the following 15 minutes they lost the services of back rowers Richard Bignell and Gavin Simpson, who both retired with injuries.
The Old Reds’ backs were now showing signs but Weston were still defending well and this was epitomised when full-back Chris Young made a try-saving tackle on wing Matt Coles.
But the visitors persisted and Hall’s try at the end gave them a deserved victory.
Weston: C Young, P Sprague (sinbin 77), J Letherby, J Gallagher, M Watkins, M Roberts, R Bennett (S Disney 59), D Swann, C Withers, S Donegan, A Russell, S Eaton, J Rudkin, R Bignell (H Somers 52), G Simpson (D Price 63).
