Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West

Weston-super-Mare 35 Ivybridge nil

Weston-super-Mare maintained their unbeaten run with a bonus point victory over visitors Ivybridge to remain eight points clear of neighbours Winscombe at the top of the Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West, writes Chris Heath.

With the two clubs unable to agree whether the main pitch was playable, the match referee decided that the game be switched to the second team’s pitch for the game to go ahead, as Ivybridge had already arrived at the ground.

Weston-super-Mare took the lead in the fourth minute after prop Will Bamsey received a short lineout, and after several players were involved in the attack, it was centre Marcus Nel who cut through to open the scoring.

Fly-half Archie Tilsley converted as he did two minutes later when second row Tom Sugg barrelled over after a super drive by the forwards. Fellow second row George Talbot had to be replaced by debutant Sam Larrimore due to a shoulder injury.

Ivybridge launched one of its famous driving mauls. Still, Weston proved equal to it, and, after regaining territory, full-back George Nuttycombe made a break, which ended with Sugg cutting a fine line.

The move concluded with skipper Charlie Brabham touching down and Tilsley again converting. A superb break by left wing Hayden Main, carried on by Nuttycombe, ended with right wing Keanu Ballard crossing the whitewash.

Tilsley added the difficult conversion. Main nearly added to his season’s prolific try-scoring tally but was halted just short of the line. Weston could have scored again shortly after, but went to the narrow side instead of looking out wide.

The home side had secured their ninth try-scoring bonus point of the season as they went into the break with a commanding 28-nil advantage. Early in the second half, Ivybridge benefitted from a charge down that ended with Main being yellow-carded.

The visitors’ tails were now well and truly up. Weston held up their first drive, but the visitors’ persistence led to a superb period of home defence, which eventually ended with them clearing their lines.

A great run by outside centre Cameron Maslen, carried on by Bamsey, ended with flanker Jacob Cox, on his 50th appearance for the 1stXV, being tackled into touch just short of the line.

Approaching the hours mark, Weston replaced Brabham and Nuttycombe with Manson Turner and Chris Young. The home side were huffing and puffing but could not breach the much-improved Ivybridge defence. 

Tilsley then intercepted but was caught metres from the line before being replaced by Nuttycombe. Main was once again held up on the and, with ten minutes remaining, it looked as though the second period might finish scoreless.

But after Ivybridge infringed near their own line, it was Larrimore who surged over following a scrum, with Nuttycombe adding the extras. The scrum proved to be a tremendous weapon on a far from ideal day, but the lineout needs some improvement.

Another five points in the bag for Weston, in which Sugg and No.8 Nasili Ikahihifo, along with Bamsey, were outstanding, with former club captain Sugg just edging the man of the match performance.

Weston 1stXv are next in action on Saturday (November 29) away to Okehampton, who are fourth in the table after their 31-10 victory away to struggling Cullompton. Kick-off is at 2.30 pm.

Match Photos HERE