Weston U15s V Clevedon

Fresh from their victory against near rivals Hornets a week ago, Weston U15s played host to Clevedon for their last game of the year. This was a repeat of the fixture with which they started the season, when Weston proved too strong from the visitors, and so too it ultimately proved again today.

However, at the outset it didn't look like it was going to go that way and Weston had to withhold an early onslaught from the visitors. Clevedon were just more energetic around the breakdown and were camped in the hosts 22 for the first 10 minutes. Their intelligent use of chip and grubber kicks put Weston on the back foot and it was only through valiant defence that the home side held out. However, hold out they did and suddenly, with a kick into space from Ollie Dadds, Weston were on the front foot. A fantastic chase and tackle from relative new boy Fin Williams put the visitors under pressure and a loose pass was intercepted by Ollie Dadds, who went over for the first score of the day.

Clevedon went seeking an instant response and continued to employ the chip and chase to great effect. However, Weston's defence held firm and made progress back to the opponents 22. From a solid Weston scrum, slick hands from the Weston backline put Jayden Hood into space and with that sort of freedom he is a very hard player to stop. He flew over the line to double the home side's lead. Ollie Dadds added the extra points and Weston were out to a 12-0 lead which they held until half time.

The second-half started with a number of changes for the Weston team and it took some time for the side to calm down and to find any sort of shape. They continued to press hard on the Clevedon line but their continued solo attempts to breach the defences were thwarted by the visitors. Weston were held up short on numerous occasions and then dropping the ball over the line. However, eventually Weston realised that a few simple passes were the answer and simple passing from JJ Weall put Eesa Hussain over for a third try of the day. Harry Wills added the conversion for a 19-0 lead.

The kick off was well taken by Jack Groom under pressure from the advancing opponents and the recycled ball was kicked through for Eesa again to chase, only to be pulled down by Oliver Marshal (guesting for the visitors due to lack of numbers) saving a certain try. But this field position was once again converted into points, this time with Jack Hobbs bundling over from 5 meters. Again Harry Wills added the extras to take the lead out to 26-0 and now it was all Weston against the beleaguered Clevedon side.

A second great kick off catch from Jack Groom provided the basis once more for Weston field position and from a lineout Harry Wills burst through a gap, was hauled down metres form the line but Ellis Rogers was right on his shoulder to clear out the ruck and Dimitri Kazalas was on hand to pick up the ball and burst over for a celebratory birthday try (Happy Birthday Dimitri!).

Jack Groom had taken both previous kick offs well under pressure, but Harry Wills took the award for the most spectacular take of the day, rising like a swan above the onrushing opposition to take the ball and secure position for his side. From the breakdown the hosts were able to go through a couple of phases before Kieran Horn picked up the ball about 30 metres out and decided to "make the magic happen". He drove through the defence, was knocked down once but was not held and got up to blast over under the posts. Harry Wills added the extra points to take the score to 38-0

With time about up, Weston mounted one last foray into the opponents half and once again slick handling from the back line put Jack Healey into space but a covering tackle prevented him getting over the line. However Cam Williams was on hand to finish off the move, and the scoring.

Weston running out convincing winners 43-0 in the end.

It was far from a polished performance and the side has much to work on, not least the effort around the breakdown and the clear need to work more as a unit, rather than as individuals. A mention must though go to Fin Simpson, who (playing at 9) made a series of fantastic tackles, as well as regularly turning over the ball or winning penalties. His work rate is second to none and he's not even a bad scrum half too!

And so the side head into the Christmas break, and some of the parent organised a chocolate raffle to help raise funds for the side. Thanks to Karen Hood and Helen Carter for putting in the hard work, and to all those who bought tickets.

Finally, at the end of the year, we sign off on the back of a winning season so far (6 wins 5 losses) with a lot to work on but looking in good shape for the rest of the season.

Merry Christmas and looking forward to 2022.