Weston u15s V Clevedon

Weston U15s started this season as they ended last, with a home fixture against Clevedon. This time though the visitors brought a full squad and were looking for revenge, whilst Weston were short of 8 players from their normal squad due to a combination of injuries and Covid.
Therefore both sides were only just able to field a full side, but this didn't detract from what was to be a wonderful game.

It was the visitors who started the better, carrying strongly and retaining good possession. However, they met a determined defence led by debutant to the side, Will Bamsey, newcomer Alex Sandford and "old head" Jack Groom. The Weston defence blunted the Clevedon attack at every stage and it was actually Weston who broke and eventually released Max Gregory to dive over for the first try of the game, and the only score in the first quarter.

The second quarter started with a similar pattern of Clevedon possession being met with passionate defence from the home side, Keannu Ballard and Eesa Hussain getting in on the strong defence, whilst Fin Simpson, playing in the pack for the first time in many years, effected turnovers to give Weston some ball to play with, which they used efficiently to first get Oliver Marshal over in the corner for a try, and then for Will Bamsey to burst from half way straight from the kick off and get under the posts. At 17-0 the home team looked to be running away with it, but Clevedon came back on the stroke of half time, to make it 17-5 at the break.

At the start of the third quarter, Will Bamsey again went over, bursting through the line and at 24-5 it seemed that the dye was cast. However, Clevedon were not finished. They put more and more pressure on the Weston defence and ran in two tries, and the possibility of a come back was on the cards. However, they did run out of steam in the fourth quarter and strong running from Jack Hobbs setting up the opportunity for Alex Sandford to burst over for a score. This was followed shortly by Will Bamsey's hattrick score, and then to finish things off, debutant Cameron Williams, in his first ever game (and whilst still learning the rules and trying to work out what on earth is going on) burst through from the 22 and to the sound of joyous calls form the sideline, scored under the posts.

A wonderful way to finish and a really great game of ruby. The Weston side were depleted from their normal numbers, but a number of the relatively inexperienced players, notably Alex Sandford and Callum John shone through and stepped into the gaps left, to the point that selection will be difficult in coming fixtures.

All in all, a great way to start the season.