Weston 23 - 27 Brixham

The South Devon visitors started with greater energy and purpose than the home side who failed to gather the kick off cleanly and gifted possession to Brixham who drove hard at the Weston try line but were held up by determined tackling. After a number of phases Weston infringed and the Brixham 10, Pinkus, slotted an easy penalty chance.
Just a minute later and Weston’s first real period of possession resulted in a breakdown penalty and Dickson, back from injury, kicked a goal from 35 metres to level the scores are 3 each.
Weston failed again to take clean ball at the restart and were quickly under pressure. Brixham ran a simple move from their put in at a scrum and they ran free down their left wing and a neat inside pass found centre Kelly free to run in the first try. Pinks converted and Brixham had moved in front. This was short lived as just three minutes later Brixham gave away a penalty and Dickson attempt from 40 metres was good trimming the visitors lead to just four points.
Weston finally found their rhythm and built momentum. Several phases of forward drives gave Weston a chance to move the ball wide and with the Brixham defence stretched a well timed pass from Nel put Mackay into space and he cut through to score the home side's opening try, converted by Dickson. Weston were in front, and they continued to pressure the Brixham defence. Twice they might have scored but had to settle for a third penalty goal from Dickson and the sides turned round at half time with Weston in front by 16 -10.
From the kick off Weston again failed to gather the ball and a couple of defensive errors allowed Brixham to set up a driving maul just a few metres from the Weston line. Morris was driven over by his pack and Pinkus was on target for the visitors to take a one point lead with just two minutes of the second half gone.
Weston regrouped and raised their game. The Brixham pack began to fall apart and the Weston forwards won a number of penalties as they took control up front. This gave Dickson the chance to kick for the corner and should have allowed Weston to create scoring chances. One went begging as the home side lost their own line out but a second chance was grabbed and the Weston forwards set up a great series of drives at the line and it was Talbot, having another fine game who drove powerfully through a tackle and stretched for the line. His try and Dickson’s conversion regained a six point lead for Weston.
Despite dominance at the set piece Brixham kept clear of trouble, regained momentum and worked their way deep into Weston territory. Despite desperate defence eventually the Brixham backs worked a gap and they scored a try converted by Pinkus. With just 15 minutes left on the clock Weston worked their socks off to try to create a scoring chance. When the Brixham loose head prop was yellow carded for a late tackle it looked as though Weston might take advantage. A shambles ensued when Brixham opted for a scrum but had an incomplete front row and the ref allowed a change of call to a line out. Weston blew two half chances to assert full advantage of Brixham being a man down. Pinkus rubbed salt in the wound with a 40 metre penalty to stretch the visitors lead to 4 points and a desperate last ditch attempt to get within range of a try came to nought as the match ended.
Weston again showed that they could compete with the better sides in the South West Premier league but have again failed to show sufficient ruthless composure and have narrowly lost again. A losing bonus point is no compensation and Weston must find the elusive ingredients of winning games off they are to escape the lower places in the table.