Weston Utd 40 Nailsea and Backwell 21

Weston United closed their disappointing league campaign on a high with a strong performance against local rivals Nailsea and Backwell out scoring the visitors by six tries to three.
On a perfect afternoon for rugby and in front of a largish crowd including several who had made the trip from the twin towns Weston took the lead in the tenth minute when full back Matt Burns stepped and dummied his way to the line for the opener. Fly half Archie Tilsley converted. Nailsea hit back with a fine try of their own which was also converted and it wasn’t until the half hour when number eight James Matthews bundled his way over that the score moved on. Tilsley again converted this time from quite wide out and he also added the extras to his own solo effort shortly after. Improving lock Sam Light then got on the scoresheet just before half time when he barrelled his way over for the bonus point try. Fly half Tilsley keeping his perfect record up to give the hosts a comfortable lead at half time.
The second half was a more fractious affair with injuries and tempers getting the better of some but the excellent refereeing kept a relative control on proceedings.
The visitors cut the United lead with a converted try but right wing Mike McCarthy added to his haul and despite another converted try by Nailsea and Backwell it was Tilsley who had the final say converting his second try of the afternoon to give Weston a deserved victory.
For Weston there was once again fine performances from the back row of Ben Cox Billy Kirk and Matthews. Light was impressive in spells and hooker Adam Fisher was once again his terrier like self. But it was the mercurial Burns whose strong running and quick feet who just edged Tilsley and half back partner Finlay Nash to the man of the match award.
A season which although much improved since Christmas cannot hide the fact that the United should be finishing a lot higher up the league than their final position of tenth.