Narrow defeat but great improvement

Weston have been going through a bit of a “blip” with an alarming fall down the League but things are starting to look better, albeit after this very close reversal against the Devon team, where a noisy crowd and a feisty welcome always awaits. The injury crisis which hit the club during November/December, resulting in abject performances against Worcester and Amersham, and a sub standard showing against Barnstaple, seems to be improving as key players return to the side.
This match could have gone either way, and several of the resident “cognoscenti” were looking sheepish, nay…almost embarrassed afterwards.
A try in the third minute of extra time finally gave the home team a narrow victory but the two bonus points gained in a losing match perversely moved Weston up two places.
The hosts were ahead after only two minutes, courtesy of a gratuitous try by hooker Chav Bryce following a blatant knock on. Not an auspicious start for the soon to be latest International referee! The try was converted but James Mackay reduced the arrears with a penalty, and then converted a try from Andrew Glen following Dave Buftons’ strong drive for a three point lead. The score was levelled with a Brown penalty and Brixham took the lead with a score from Samuel Simmonds, once again converted, and would have gone further ahead but for a try saving tackle (the first of several) from Matt Watkins, who had a fine game. Half time 17-10.
Weston conspired to spurn try opportunities but finally drew level with a short range effort from Glen, once again converted.
Unfortunately, they appeared to incur the wrath of the referee far more often than Brixham, who capitalised on their advantage with two visiting forwards in the bin, (and a total of four binned during the match…hmm?) to score tries through Simmonds again, and Brown to lead 29-17. Weston, back to full strength, responded with two tries in as many minutes. Mackays’ cross field kick from a penalty was gathered by replacement winger Tom Bellak for a run in, and centre Sam Smee coasted through the middle for a fine individual score from 45 metres. Both were converted and the visitors now lead 31-29 with time running out. In a final twist, Weston were again reduced to 14 men as Bellak was binned and the home side scrambled over in the corner for the winning score.

Weston are at home on Saturday vs. Chippenham. K.O. 2.30 p.m.
when the coaches will doubtless look for continuing improvement.

Weston team…H.Skelton, H.Jones, S.Smee, K.Middlemiss, M.Watkins (T.Bellak), J.Mackay, R.Bennett, D.Swann, (S.Donegan), C.Withers, P.Hobbs, D.Bufton, A.Glen, G. Sparks, J.Pullen (P.Morrissey) T.Main.