United claim try-scoring bonus point in defeat at Huish Tigers

Counties 2 Somerset
Huish Tigers 54 Weston United 24

(our scribe and the Team Manager made it 52-24 but Husih recorded the result with the RFU as 54-24 - eight tries and six conversions make 52 in our books)

My match preparation started Friday, 22, with a day's leave. As the rain cleared, I headed out on the motorbike to Tarr Steps in Exmoor, stress level 18, according to Garmin, which is excellent.

I made Tarr Steps in good time, with a few showers on the route and typically muddy lanes, but took some lovely photos of the Clapper bridge before heading to Dulverton for a cappuccino and a bacon butty, friendly cafe shop in Dulverton.

I highly recommend it. I returned home in good time, put the bike away, showered, and watched the Bears on the TV before heading to The Ship. After a couple of fine pints of Otter, a pack of pork scratchings, and a smooth single malt, it was time for bed. Though, it's not about me, really!

We have a changed United this week compared to the one that played so well last week against the Nest. The forward pack looks strong, but the backs may be wanting.

It's nice to see Joe "Hello Sailor" Connolly and Callum Bliss-Climo back on the team sheet. Unfortunately, Vinnie Jones is out of position on the wing, and Huw Matthews is on the other. Both prefer the flanker and centre positions, respectively.

In fairness, the pitch at Huish Tigers was in excellent condition. The weather had cleared, and I made an impressive start, heading for the coffee wagon. I purchased an excellent cappuccino, along with a wonderful slice of bread pudding almost equal to that my nan used to make.

Sorry, I'm rambling again. So, back to the rugby. The United kick-off against an eager home side and the points from this game are critical to the United's hopes of avoiding relegation.

That said, United didn't seem to recognise the importance, and I must have missed the moment when the white gloves were handed out.

The United best described as Italian Traffic Police waving everything through. They were only missing a whistle each, but the referee made up for this by wearing his pea out, awarding penalties to Huish.

From the kick-off, we conceded tries, and the score climbed evenly to 45-0 with 35 minutes played. Were there some highlights during this period?

No, although I can confirm the port-a-loos on site were very well appointed. Archie Tilsely, a point of note, with "Referee the Huish tee hodder can't hold the ball for the kicker," he was correct. Good knowledge of the laws, Archie, gleamed from the all-knowing Jon Bamsey, who had dryly refused the honour of holding the ball for Archie once during an u14s match on the basis he was Archie's coach and the referee.

The short version is that the referee agreed, the hod carry crumbled and walked off, and the ball sailed between the uprights.
Huish had plenty of highlights during this period, 45 of them, and their number 8 was loving smashing United players a little late and just outside the referee's field of vision.

The eventual yellow card and one-man advantage did seem to help the United. After 35 minutes of communal humiliation, the United decided that they'd had enough and started to play.

The resulting penalty on the defending 5m line set up a tap-and-go with Owens over in the corner, supported by Rhys Matthews and Josh Gardner. Out on the touchline, Archie gives it a great shin to collect the extras, and we're on the scoreboard. Half Time Huish 45 - 7 United.

Halftime sees a shuffle with Frost on for Burns, Nash, and Walker joining the pack for Donny and Blackborrow. Caton, who was starting to have a solid game with little breaks passing the gain line, finally broke free and made it to the Huish try line to be held up.

Huish had infringed and penalised the United, and another tap-and-go saw Nash in for a score. Archie collected the extras, and we rolled on. Huish 45 - 14 United.

From the restart, we rallied again. The forwards and backs combined well, and Caton drove forward. Huish cleared their lines, but Frost was solid under the high ball.

I think allowing them to run freely in the first half tired them out, lads. It's not my preferred tactic, but it may work. United started to have a few penalty advantages, and nudges to touch work well. The line-out functions better, but we still lose the ball in contact and trudge back.

Disappointingly, and against the run of play, Huish broke free and increased their lead. Huish 52 - 14 United
United steals a defending line out and keeps the ball in the forwards before PJ Grimes picks from the base of the ruck to scamper over, and it's all United again.

Huish 52 - 19 United.

That last effort, combined with more contact, sees PJ snap a suspension spring, and everyone gets a chance to recover and catch their breath. PJ's dad has just entered the field of play for Huish, joining his uncle, who's already on. There's a trio of bald, beardy dwarfs on the pitch now.

The United haven't finished, another yellow for Huish, and we're in another good attacking position. Owens takes the ball at the back of the maul created from a United line out, bursts through two defenders and in at the corner for his second. Huish 52 - 24 United

We have the restart, but the clocks are ticking, and Huish is clear to touch to secure the game. United had a very disappointing start, but they fought well in the second half to claim a losing bonus point.

Thank you to our hosts, Huish Tigers RFC, and best of luck with the season's final game.

Full-Time Huish Tigers RFC 52 - 24 Weston United

I like Harry Nash despite his eyes being slightly too close together. Therefore, if I were going to name a man of the match, and I don't propose to, it wouldn't be him.

Weston United: Darren Burns; Vinnie Jones, Huw Matthews, Callum Bliss-Climo, Ollie Caton; Archie Tilsley, PJ Grimes; Charlie Owens, Rhys Matthews, Steve Donegan, Rob Blackborrow, Joshua Gardner, Ross Cheshire, Joe Connolly, Alex Goss.
Reps Simon Hudson, Harry Nash, Mark Walker, Rich Frost, Mark Mongo Matthews.