Regional 2 Tribue Ale South West

Weston-super-Mare 31 Winscombe 24

Weston-super-Mare, the Regional 2 Tribue Ale South West's league leaders, saw off neighbours Winscombe, who went into the game in second-place, in blustery conditions and in front of a very large and vociferous crowd, writes Chris Heath.

The maximum points victory extends Weston's unbeaten start to the league campaign to seven games, and they are now eight points clear at the top of the table. Winscombe, who took a losing bonus point, have dropped to fourth place.

Winscombe kicked off with the wind in their favour but were kept at bay by good home defence. However, Weston then conceded two quick penalties, and from the second, Winscombe elected to kick to the sticks, but the ball went wide.

The visitors opened the scoring when Weston lost their own lineout and Winscombe sniffed out an opportunity to drive their way over. The conversion was well taken from wide out on the left.

Weston hit back straight away when, after a super restart by fly-half George Nuttycombe, the ball was recycled, and lock George Talbot cut a brilliant line to storm over under the posts. Nuttycombe converted to level the scores with 12 minutes on the clock.

Weston had upped a gear, and after a break by right wing Keanu Ballard, aided by scrum half Jack Press, Weston earned a penalty. But somehow the hosts messed up a move, and the away side gleefully kicked themselves out of trouble.

Weston then conceded another penalty. Winscombe kicked to the corner and quickly took the lineout, enabling them to add to their account with a try in the corner. The kick was missed.

Once again Weston hit back straight away when great hands, allied to a battering run by tighthead prop Ieuan John, led to Ballard working hard to score in the right corner. A superb conversion from Nuttycombe in the conditions put the hosts two points ahead.

But Winscombe responded and were awarded yet another penalty for a high tackle. They again kicked to the corner, but on this occasion, the Weston defence held. Winscombe were playing well and attacking at every opportunity.

Open side flanker Jacob Cox was once again working his socks off, making tackles. Still, eventually Weston were penalised again, and inside centre Marcus Nel was yellow carded for slapping down.

Weston hit back with another inspiring run by John, and Weston earned themselves a rare penalty, which was enhanced by ten metres due to Winscombe chatter. From the ensuing line out, Weston battered the visitors' line, but Winscombe held out to reach half-time two points adrift.

The second half began with Nel still on the sidelines, the breeze in the hosts' favour, and after being awarded an early penalty, kicked to the corner, Weston were held up near the line, and the chance was gone.

Winscombe countered, but Weston's prolific try-scoring left wing Hayden Main intercepted to put Weston further ahead with his 18th touchdown of the season. Nuttycombe added the extras.

Weston were looking more like themselves at this point and, after a flowing fifteen-man move, Nuttycombe was the beneficiary to score his first try of the season before adding another two points to his haul.

Winscombe regrouped, and referee Rhys Cleary awarded them yet another penalty, which they once again kicked to the corner. This time, they were successful in crossing the whitewash and then converted excellently.

Weston were then hesitant in defence and gave away yet another penalty near their own line, and from the elected scrum, Winscombe went to the blindside and scored again in the corner.

Tense isn't strong enough to describe the atmosphere. A high kick led to a Weston penalty for holding on, and Weston wisely elected to attempt three points. Nuttycombe duly obliged to stretch the lead.

Ryan Watterston, on as a replacement for outside centre Cam Maslen, then nearly scored following an excellent retrieval by Nuttycombe. Winscombe then took Weston out in the air from a lineout and was awarded a penalty.

But unbelievably, they decided against a further attempt at goal and were undone by the ensuing lineout. Main was then yellow-carded with five minutes remaining, and Winscombe took the scrum. Weston infringed again after weathering the first one.

Miraculously, the hosts were then awarded a penalty right on their line, and Nuttycombe cleared the ball upfield. But Weston conceded a penalty, and Winscombe had one more attempt, but were thwarted, giving Weston the closest of victories.

Weston 1stXV are next in action on Friday, November 7, 2025, away to eighth-placed North Petherton, kick-off 7.30 pm. At the same time, Weston Athletic are away to Burnham-on-Sea 2ndXV. Weston United host Hornets 3rdXV on Saturday, November 8, 2025, kick-off 2.30 pm.

Match photos HERE