Red Alert As Weston Try, Try and Try Again

Weston proved to strong for the visit of Old Reds this week in a dominant performance at The Rec. Reds arrived with a stronger squad than when the teams met earlier in the season, and were in determined mood in the opening exchanges. Weston though quickly gained the upper hand up front and after 8 minutes captain Liam Hynes opened the scoring when he crossed in the corner. This set the platform for Weston and after 14 minutes prop Sol Ward crossed for his first of the day. Centre Harry Lewis was next to get on the scoresheet when he scored following more good work by the Weston pack. James Aucott converted and the lead was growing. 5 minutes later Weston had a line out 10 yards from the Reds line. Second Row DJ Wills took clean ball, turned and presented well and Weston drove superbly over the Reds line, allowing Jacob Cox to drop over for an excellent set move try. From the kick off a maul formed just inside the Reds half. Sol Ward somehow burst through the other end and set off for the line. Chased hard by the Reds defence, he showed excellent pace and determination to win the race to the the line scoring his second and Weston's fifth try of the half. Aucott added the extras and at half time Weston led 29-0. In the first meeting between the teams, Weston had been outplayed in the first 20 minutes of the second half, and were determined not to let the same thing happen today. Rhys Langley ensured that Weston started well when he burst through the score after just 2 minutes and continue his excellent run of form. Weston were really playing well now and when DJ Wills broke through five minutes later it looked like he may be adding his name to the tally. Instead he timed his pass to perfection and allowed Billy Kirk to cross the line unoppossed. Clearly unhappy that he hadn't run through anyone, Billy waited for a covering defender, ran into him at mach 3 and then grounded the ball (just as Coxy did in the first game between the sides). In a further similarity Harry Lewis had his words come back to haunt him. 'Why can't I take the kicks Rich? I'm a better kicker than James,' was his Saturday offering. With James off the pitch, he stepped forward and saw his conversion bounce 9 times on its way to the corner flag. Question answered. With the game long gone, Weston's collective foot came off the gas and Reds, who never let their heads drop once competed well. Weston made lots of changes and players were tried in new positions. Dan Heal played well when he came on in the second row and Dan Smith played very well at hooker. After 17 barren minutes Weston then finished with a flurry scoring 21 points in the last 6 minutes. Firstly Billy Kirk crossed for his second of the game after a great offload by Liam Hynes and Aucott added the conversion. Next, Weston scored their best try of the match when they secured excellent ball in midfield. Chow, who played superbly in the second row picked and went on a strong direct run. His offload was really well timed and Aaron Norton was able to show his pace to finish excellently in the corner. With the kicking tee missing for some reason, Aucott was told to drop kick the conversion, which he did superbly from the touchline to add a further 2 points. Then in the final minute, fly half Stefan Thompson-Rose finished off a great perfomance when he timed a pop pass to perfection. Harry Spedding chose an excellent line and took the ball at pace to wrong foot the Reds defensive line and fly through for an outstanding individual try. Aucott put the icing on the cake with the conversion and Weston had won by 60 points to nil. This was by far Weston's best performance of the season and all of the lads played their part. The pack rucked and mauled brilliantly and finally put into practice what we've speant so long concentrating on in training. The backs looked dangerous in attack and the collective defensive effort was very good. Old Reds were a much stronger side than when we first met and deserve great credit for thier commitment. The game had ended with a concerning back injury to the Old Reds prop, which saw him taken to hospital. I'm pleased to report that he his fine and Ian (old Reds coach) would like to pass on his thanks to all those who helped with the injured lad. Weston's pats on the back are shared amongst everyone today. It really was a great 'team' performance and great to hear so much encouragement and desire to get back on the pitch from all the guys substitued during the match. As usual though there has to be a man of the match and this week it goes to Jacob Cox who's work in the loose was outstanding. Okehampton next week.