Depleted seasiders show great attitude

WESTON played well against promotion-chasing Redingensians, but for the third successive match they ran out of steam during the final quarter hour, during which they conceded 15 points to flatter the visitors.

Redingensians were on the scoresheet in the first minute when they took maximum advantage of a Weston knock-on inside their own 22. Full-back Andy Bryans was the scorer.

Six minutes later the hosts lost centre Kirk Middlemiss to an ankle injury. He was replaced by Adam Godfrey, who went to No 15 in a re-arranged back division.

The Seasiders then went on the attack for the following 15 minutes without success and it was the visitors who extended their advantage with a try by flanker Azza Hopkins. James Brooks converted for 0-12 and Godfrey’s important tackle on centre Aaron Hopkins prevented a third try.

Instead, Weston went on the offensive again and they were rewarded with skipper David Swann’s try. And as the half ended they levelled matters.

A quick tap penalty by scrum-half Sam Smee saw Middlemiss, who had returned temporarily, and Chris Young put centre Steve Thompson over. Young converted for 12-12 at the break.

But early in the second half, Brooks kicked a penalty for the visitors and wing George Owen touched down to take the score to 12-20.

However, Weston responded again as the Reds were attacking hard when Ross Bennett, now at fly-half, intercepted and sprinted 80 metres to bring the score back to 17-20.

But Weston were unable to put together any momentum and Redingensians scored tries by Nigel Gumbleton and replacement Will Clark, one of which was converted by Bryans, who also kicked a penalty as the hosts subsided.

Weston: R Bennett, M Burns, K Middlemiss, S Thompson, M Burnett, C Young, S Smee, D Swann (c), C Withers, D Price, S Hudson, E Hunt, B Cox, P Morrissey, D Bufton. Replacements used: P Hobbs, D Burge, A Godfrey.