Sat 11 Apr 2026, 15:00
Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West
Weston-super-Mare 29 Crediton 19
Weston-super-Mare may have clinched the Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West title with two games to play, but they went into their final league game with the goal of rounding off a tremendous season unbeaten, writes Chris Heath.
The home side had collected a try-scoring bonus point in each of their previous 21 league encounters, so that was another one hundred per cent record they wanted to seal as part of the Club’s 150th year celebrations.
Visitors Crediton, who suffered a 28-24 home defeat by Weston in the season’s opener, were looking to take at least four league points from this game to secure a place in the promotion play-offs.
It was a blustery and occasionally showery afternoon as a large crowd greeted both sets of players onto the pitch, with Weston captain Charlie Brabham making his 50th first-team appearance.
Crediton kicked off into the breeze, and the hosts immediately went into an attack involving forwards and backs, which led to outside centre Alex Howman crossing the whitewash out wide.
Weston continued pressing hard and were rewarded with a second try when lock Tom Sugg cut a fine line to receive a pass from fly-half George Nuttycombe, who then added the extra two points.
Crediton then had their first real period of possession, but the home defence held until the sixteenth minute when a lovely little chip through led to the right wing, Charlie Cookson scoring near the corner.
Weston hit back when a break by full-back Chris Young and a perfectly timed pass put right wing Keanu Ballard over for the hosts’ third try. Nuttycombe’s conversion from wide out hit the inside of the far upright but bounced the wrong side.
A fantastic break by No.8 Nasili Ikahihifo, on the half hour, followed by progress by left wing Hayden Main, led to tight head prop Ieuan John crashing over for the bonus point try, which Nuttycombe duly converted.
With half-time fast approaching, Crediton reduced the arrears when, following a scrum, the lax defence led to outside centre Josh Goodman scoring near the posts for fly-half Josh Davy to add the extras.
Weston led 24-12 at the break, and the elements would be well and truly against them in the second half. Was that lead going to be enough against a Devon side that had hopes of keeping their season alive?
Crediton started the second half well with a kick through, resulting in a five-metre scrum, which ended with Weston conceding a penalty, which the visitors elected to scrum again.
However, Weston managed the scrum much better and was rewarded with a penalty of their own. The relief didn't last long as the Devonians scented success, but Weston’s strong defence was keeping them at bay.
Weston then scored a pressure-relieving try with blindside flanker Jacob Simpson on the end of a superb move involving most of the backs, with Ballard pirouetting around his opposite number before offloading to the grateful Simpson.
Inside centre Marcus Nel then produced a pivotal turnover to prevent Crediton from cutting the lead. Weston then replaced John with Maison Turner after a creditable shift.
Crediton then once again reduced the lead with a blindside move off the back of a set piece with scrum half Ed Brady dotting down the ball before Davey added the conversion to reduce the deficit to ten points.
There were still 20 minutes to play, which could prove crucial for either side. With unforced errors being made, it was essential that Weston tighten up their play and deny the visitors any further score.
Young then made a strong break, only for his final pass to go into touch off a Crediton defender. Weston then introduced Cameron Maslen and Robson Bird for Young and Simpson for the last ten minutes.
Lock George Talbot nearly crossed but just lost the ball when stretching for the line. Weston kept knocking at the door, but sadly, errors remained in their game when near the opposition line.
Bird made a couple of telling breaks, but mishandling again cost the hosts. The game ended with Weston completing a perfect season, which must be an almost unique situation, but no more than they deserve in an outstanding season.
Weston-super-Mare will play Regional 1 Tribute Ale South West next season, while, despite the defeat, results elsewhere, including Winscombe and Ivybridge ending 31-31, Crediton have finished fifth and will be away runners-up, Tiverton, in the play-off.
