Bournemouth 62 - 12 Weston

This game was a classic affair of two halves. Top side Bournemouth, who have lost only once this season, and that away from home, were first out of the blocks and attacked hard right from the kick off. The home side moved the ball quickly, pressed hard in the middle of the park and then spun the ball to the left wing. Weston looked to have tackled the ball carrier but his momentum took him over for the opening try. The conversion fell short.
Bournemouth continued to exert enormous pressure but the Weston defence held. Weston grabbed a fair proportion of possession, and they ran some great lines out wide. There were no more scores until 8 minutes from the half time break when Weston worked the ball through several phases. James Mackay kicked cross field, winger Morgan caught the ball, drew his man and passed inside to Robbie Mackay in support who sprinted to the line. James Mackay converted and Weston hoped to turn round just in front but the home side made a rapid break and the worked the ball to the right and Bournemouth scored a very quick try in response. The conversion was made.
Weston came straight back at the home side and were judged to have been held up when the forwards ran a number of phases and crossed the line. As a result the home team turned round fortunate to be in front.
The second half was a different story and the home side ran riot as they continued to put Weston under pressure. They pounced on every error and punished even small mistakes. They scored 7 tries with 4 in a fifteen minute burst which left Weston high and dry. Weston did shore things up in the last 15 and Maslen scored for the visitors just before full time but it was too little to late.
Bournemouth have been one of the strongest sides in South West Premier for a number of years and this season certainly deserve to be in top spot and look odds on favourites to win the league. They have a strong and effective set of forwards and some very talented backs. On the front foot they present a huge challenge but are vulnerable, especially on the edges when they are denied possession. They have the resources to dominate games. To Weston’s credit they were marginally the better side in the first half, and never gave up. They tackled well all game and for half the game were neck and neck with the league leaders. Bournemouth’s strength and fitness combined with great skills overcame Weston's spirited effort.