Weston Colts win in teeth of Storm Isha

Somerset Colts/U18s League
Nailsea & Backwell 10 Weston Colts 31

Everyone knows that when you play Nailsea the pitch has a significant slope, but when storm Isha is blowing down that slope, the advantage is more than doubled.

So it was that Weston Colts took to the incredibly blustery field at Nailsea, on a day when tradition has it that you want to play uphill to start, and then enjoy the benefits of the slope (and on this occasion - the wind) in the second half.

Weston loss the toss, so were to play downhill in the first half with the wind behind. It was therefore always going to be a tough second half on a heavy pitch, so the question was could Weston establish a good enough lead in the first half to hold on till the end?

Weston started well, camped in the Nailsea half for the first period. Phase after phase eventually resulted in Brennan Goodland crashing over in the corner. In the wind, any kicking was a lottery, but Ollie Dadds measured the wind to add the conversion and the visitors led 7-0.

Weston continued their pressure and didn’t let Nailsea out of their own half and that pressure built and built through the forwards until, ultimately, Weston unleashed their backs and a scything run from Harry Wills gave space to Jay Isaac who was pulled down just short and Fin Simpson was there to scamper over for the visitors second try again. It converted, to take the lead out to 14-0.

Nailsea pushed hard to get up the slope, but never quite breached the Weston twenty-two. Instead, it was Weston who continued to apply pressure, forcing them backwards with their tackling and work around the breakdown. Eventually, slow ball for the hosts allowed Dadds to get into the line to catch the interception to go in under the posts. He added the conversion and Weston were out to a 21-0 lead.

Weston were aware of the advantage they had and continued to press through the forwards They established a position and ultimately the close-quarters battle was won, and Ellis Rogers popped to back row counterpart Alex Sandford for him to dive over and make it 26-0 at half time.

The question, given the obvious advantages of playing down the hill, was, would it be enough? Weston answered that almost immediately with the kick-off returned by Ollie Marshall, who made meters, though it looked like he was running through treacle.

This was backed up by the hard running of the pack, notably Keiran Van Rassel, Alex, Sandford Ellis, Rogers And debutant Ed Taylor such that Weston established an attacking position inside the previously unused uphill 22.

With a clever chip Ollie Dadds broke the line, collected the ball, and dropped over for the first score of the second half and to establish Weston dominance in the game. The following conversion demonstrate just how strong the wind was, when the kick appeared to be heading to the posts, but ended up almost hitting the corner flag as the wind took its toll.

Weston had established a commanding lead 31-0 though the hosts were not done yet, and they utilised the slope and the wind to their advantage and built pressure on a tiring Weston line, ultimately that line was breached as they worked the ball wide were able to get over in the corner. Despite hard running and phase play from Weston, again Nailsea were able to build a position and score in the corner, but it was too little, too late for the home side, the visitors running out winners 31 to 10.

This was a victory built on determined defence against a bigger heavier pack, and illustrated, yet again, the Weston side’s, resilience. It also demonstrated what a close unit the side is becoming side built on the hard work if the likes of Charlie Beale, Sam Slingsby, and Ben Donachie.

The older heads providing strong basis from which the exciting backs can launch, and this week bolstered by the returning Kiran Horn and Jacob Ferris. A good day for the Colts side, and great to get the win. Looking forward now to next week.