Outstanding Jack Howard leads Weston from the front!

On a dry but cold Sunday morning Weston RFC under 11s made their second trip of the season up to Bristol when they travelled to play the Old Redcliffians RFC (Old Reds). Weston were expecting a tough encounter and the Old Reds did not disappoint! The home side fielded a much bigger and heavier pack, and a well organised, drilled and quick back line. However, it was clear from the beginning that this game was going to be won and lost in the forward exchanges.

Undaunted by the size of the Old Reds pack the Weston forwards, bolstered by the return of the ever reliable and hard tackling lock Mitchell Bird rose splendidly to the occasion. Although the scrums won by each side were even, the hard tackling and more agile Weston pack led by their prop Jack Howard who had an outstanding game dominated the rucks, mauls and in the loose.

It was from this forward domination that Weston’s first try was scored when quick ball released fly half Archie Tilsley who sniped over for a well deserved try which was not converted. Great tackling by lock Josh Gardner and hooker Jimmy Bamsey led to Weston’s second score when prop George Bamsey picked up the ball in the loose and charged over the Old Reds try line to record Weston’s second try, which was successfully converted by Tilsley. The half time score was Old Reds 0 – 12 Weston.

The second half saw no let up in the ferocious forwards exchanges. But the Weston pack manfully stuck to their task and ensured that the Weston back’s received good quick ball. However, even with the great running of the Wheeler brother’s, Weston made hard work of the good ball by continuing to run into the contact area’s when the easier and more productive options would have been to exploit the overlaps and attack the open spaces.

With this hard fought encounter drawing to a close the excellent Howard made sure that Weston would leave Bristol with the win when he scored Weston’s third and final try with a great driving run that was successfully converted by Tilsley.

A great performance by the Weston team saw the final score: Old Reds 0 – 19 Weston.

Weston has had an excellent start to the season recording six straight wins, five of which have been away. However, there still remains much room for improvement. With their feet firmly rooted to the ground they can look forward positively to the rest of the season.