Weston Vets 'run' in eight tries

Weston Vets 48 Blake Bears 7

A selectors nightmare – 34 players all eager (to get to the bar) – and what enticement could be offered to get them onto the pitch? Would the promise of just ten minutes of play work? Please make it just five came the all too often reply.

Blake Bears, formerly The Great Escape RFC and based at North Petherton RFC, provided worthy opposition, and denied Weston Vets scoring opportunities until the 13th minute when Chris Young ran in behind the posts to give himself a simple conversion.

The Vets had seemingly liked the scoring taste, or was it the Guinness in the dugout, as they were to score three further tries before the much needed, despite countless personnel changes, half time break after thirty minutes of play.

Alec Hughes was the next to score, and Young converted before the Milkman crossed the whitewash from close range after Paul Whatley was stopped just short of the line. Sam Bethell pounced on a loose ball to score the final try of the half.

His conversion attempt hit the upright to leave the Vets with a 24-point lead at the break and their line intact. Chris Read showed his dribbling skills (with his feet!) to score the first try of the second period.

The ever-present Jon Filer added the conversion with Mark Boulton showing he still had some pace to set up Matt Burns for the next try. Filer next raced in from the half way and still had the energy (and breath) to add the conversion.

Mark Boulton claimed the last of the Vets tries, but there was still time for the Bears to claim a late consolation try, following a missed tackle from Dave Burge!!, with Ben Chandler scoring under the posts and Bradley Robins converting.

We thank all the supporters and Bristol Referees’ Society Adam Glenn for being the match official. The Vets will be staging several games before their May 2024 tour to Malta, so please watch out for updates.