WESTON RFC will be fairly satisfied with their fourth place in South West 1 and their success in the Somerset Blackthorn Cup

Weston-super-Mare RFC will be fairly satisfied with their fourth place in South West 1 and their success in the Somerset Blackthorn Cup. In league and cup competitions, they won 17 of their 27 matches and drew one.

They could probably have done better, but for home defeats by Maidenhead, Oxford Harlequins, Basingstoke and eventual champions Mounts Bay to whom 14 points were donated in a 21-12 loss.

There was also a reversal at Bournemouth in the Intermediate Cup.The other factor in their league programme was they conceded an average of 20 points per match, a figure which would question their defensive qualities.Nevertheless, head coach Peter Sloman, assistant Robert Hedges and player-coach Mark Armstrong would have been gladdened by the attractive rugby played by their charges; 101 tries were scored.

Well led by skipper David Burge, the pack, though often outweighed, contained some outstanding performers in the back row trio of No 8 George Sparks and flankers Michael Denbee and Kevin Hobbs.

There was also excellent back-up from the experienced David Cook and Gavin Simpson, the latter finishing his season on a career total of 99 appearances. Denbee returns to Plymouth University next season and will be appearing for Plymouth Albion.

Djordje Milenkovic made an impression at loose head prop before rib injuries curtailed his season. Milenkovic has now returned to Serbia and is unlikely to reappear, but again there was a more than capable replacement in the former Clifton player Hallam Smith.

Tight head Chris Derrick's departure to Cinderford was cancelled out by former Colt Neil Lavender and the arrival of former Bedford Athletic prop Simon Williams, and the engine room was driven by the quality of Ashley Russell, Andrew Richards and New Zealander Bryce Noble.

In the backs, the arrival of Armstrong and former England A centre Joe Ewens were definite bonuses and T J Madamombe's performances were as good as ever.Luke Hember and Roger Drabble vied for the scrum-half spot and Colts' captain Ross Bennett will surely be a contender there next season.

Full-back Goran Vucicevic displayed his usual high standard and in his absence, David Taylor deputised well.Although hampered by injury, wing Matthew McQuaid showed good form, but Weston's outstanding player was, again, Paul Sprague.

Missing five matches through injury, the left wing still topped the try-scoring list with 13 and his undoubted class finishing was as exciting to watch as ever.

Other leading try scorers were Madamombe (10), Russell (8), Denbee and Ewens ( 7 each) and Armstrong (6).

Armstrong headed the points scoring with 173 and versatile veteran James Reid notched 73, including four tries.

Most appearances were made by Burge (26), Russell (25), Sparks and Richards (23 each), Sprague (22), Vucicevic and Reid (21 each) and Madamombe, Noble and Ewens (20 each).

Weston United enjoyed a splendid season, finishing in third place in the Merit Table, their best position since 1994. Led by former 1st XV wing David Steele and managed by Paul Whatley, maximum effort was extracted from their young apprentices.

They won 17 of their 24 outings, amassing 708 points against 338 with Neil Coleman leading the points scoring with 105 and wings Chris Young and Matthew Burns scoring 10 and nine tries respectively.

Steele played most matches, appearing 23 times, Young, Chris Hurd and Andrew Ball were next on 19. Taylor and Craig Chase (18 each) and Simon Hudson and ever-improving hooker Edward Hunt were the other leading appearers on 17.

Skippered by Grahame Hill and efficiently managed by Derek Hannam, Weston Athletic were successful in 14 of their 19 matches, drawing twice and losing only two to finish in third place in Somerset 3 South.

The team was fortunate by the presence of veterans and former first teamers Andrew Fisher, now 42, James Hedges (48) and Hannam himself (42).

Hill, now 43, made most appearances with 18. Will Higginbottom (16), Sam Lloyd-Jones (13), Mark Matthews (12) and David Hetherington and Nigel Cullum (11 each) were the others.

Top points scorer was Lloyd-Jones with an incredible 172, including 20 tries. The other leading try scorer was former Colt Jed Gibson with nine.

Weston Wanderers, under the management of Paul Burns won five of their 13 matches and their leading appearers were Martin Durnell (13), M House (12)and Mark Chew, Rich Bishop, Rod Mintern and Howard Evans who each played in 10 matches. S Walker was top points scorer with 30.

Victory over Bridgwater in the Somerset Blackthorn Cup final will mean the Seasiders will be in the draw for the EDF National Trophy next season.

Newcomers to South West 1 will be Bournemouth, Coney Hill and Redigensians from South West 1 and relegated from 3 South will be Old Patesians and Chinnor.