Weston shut out Old Pats

The Weston coaches would doubtless have taken this scoreline before the match, but will probably be a little disappointed with the final numbers considering that they led by 28-0 at half time, and were pushing their opponents around the park at will.
The first try came after only two minutes. The Pats kept possession in a lively start but the ball was knocked on in midfield for Harry Jones to pick up the gift and run in from 60 metres, easily rounding the full back en route. Mackay converted. The visitors then enjoyed the bulk of possession but after ten minutes, from Westons’ first scrum possession, Mackay ran contemptuously past non- tackling fly half Hughes to cruise in untouched from 50 metres, and added the points. The home side had touched the ball only twice and were 14-0 to the good but the portents looked ominous for the visitors as it became apparent that their forwards were not strong enough at the set piece (although their lineout functioned well all afternoon). Forward pressure created further opportunities and scrum half Ross Bennett, forsaking his normal duties at full back to deputise for the unwell Dan Waldon, put veteran wingman Paul Sprague in at the corner after 21 minutes. Mackay converted from the touchline, and ten minutes later repeated the operation after the scrum had pushed the Pats over their own line for a simple touchdown for No. 8 Ash Russell. Half time arrived with the home side 28-0 to the good, and the try bonus already in the bag.
The expected second half onslaught and points extravaganza did not materialise. Pats have always been a competitive team and it is a surprise to see their comparative lack of success this season, but they dug in and somehow managed to limit further scoring to two tries only, although another referee on another day might easily have awarded multiple penalty tries and numerous yellow cards, such was the frequency of the Weston forward momentum being foiled on the opposition line. Prop forward Phil Hobbs forced his way over following concerted drives after 50 minutes, Mackay converting, and full back Chris Young dived over in the corner for Westons’ sixth try and a 40-0 lead. This heralded the end of the scoring as the game got scrappy, disjointed and lacking in continuity.
For the record, visiting referee Jamie Lee, on exchange from Yorkshire, awarded 26 penalties, 15 of them against Weston including a real puzzler when the home side scrum drove their opponents fully 25 metres, only to concede a penalty, ostensibly for standing up !!! Why would a rapidly advancing pack of forwards do that?
Strange days….perhaps prop forwards are not meant to push!!? It’s a relief that he didn’t penalise strikes against the head. Weston had four of them!
The slight disappointment at the scoreline will doubtless be tempered by the 0 in the “points against”column. The opposition backs looked lively when given the chance to run, but very rarely escaped the attention of the Weston midfield tacklers.
Equally happy will be second row forward Andrew Glen who made his 200th. first team appearance.

Weston team…Young, Sprague, Smee, Edwards (Blizzard), Jones, Mackay, Bennett, P.Hobbs, Burge, Swann (Donegan), Somers, Glen, Eaton (K.Hobbs), Morrissey, Russell.