Combination Plate victory for Weston

WESTON Under-13s made the trip to Old Reds for the eagerly awaited final of the Bristol Combination Plate against Walcot from Bath.

The Weston lads were at pretty much full-strength, welcoming back Mitchell Bird, Sam Kerrigan and Jack Howard. Also included in the squad was Reece White from the Under-12s who kindly volunteered to travel as front row cover.

Weston found themselves under pressure from the well-drilled Walcot pack, until Tilsley released Eddie Davies to open the scoring with a try under the posts. This was repeated a few minutes later as Weston eased into a 14-0 lead.

Weston increased their lead with the try of the match scored by the excellent Kieran Hyde to move 21-0 ahead. Prop Jack Howard also barged over, while Walcot added their only points for a half-time score of 26-5 to Weston.

The second half went much the same way. Davies added two more tries converted by Archie Tilsley and Howard scored a try to make the final score 45-5 to Weston.

For Weston, Cosmin Bilciurescu and Josh Gardner worked tirelessly, as did George.

The Under-11s played host to touring side Bridgend and local rivals Hornets.

Weston’s first game was an end-to-end affair with possession only being exchanged at the breakdown. Strong tackling from Marshall, Joe, Dan, Billy and Brook failed to stop the well structured Welsh attack. Weston hit back with a spirited try from Liam Horsnell, but the match finished 10-5 to Bridgend.

Next up was Hornets. Again both teams seemed equally matched. Weston wonder Ky was denied several times, before. man of the match Euan Braidwood, Jack Bishop, Lewis and Connor combined for Will Durston to touch down in the corner as the game ended 5-5.

The morning was sealed with a combined Weston and Hornets team taking on the Bridgend team in an England v Wales match. National pride was preserved with England winning 10-0, thanks to tries from Kyron Pearce and Brooklyn Chamberlain.

The Under-7s also hosted Bridgend and Glyneath, plus local rivals Hornets.

In the first match, Weston lost narrowly to the visitors from Glyneath, going down by a single try 10-9. However, in the second match, the Bridgend team ran out convincing 9-4 winners. However, in the final game, Weston overcame local rivals Hornets 9-8 to cap a wonderful days rugby.

Aaron Cocking tagged brilliantly early on and showed some excellent pace. Ben Donachie supported well and contributed important tags throughout the day, while Sam Slingsby contributed in both defence and attack, with tries at important points.

Ollie Dadds showed great awareness in defence and younger players, Jack Hobbs and Leon Beard showed great potential, as did Tommy Crane and Joshua Weall.

However, it was brothers Tom and Harry Collard who led by example for Weston.

The Under-6s played their first genuine games against local rivals Hornets. Unfortunately they just fell short in both of the games played, losing out by a single try in each game.

In the first match, Tommy Crane was excellent in his tagging as well as scoring three tries and was matched by Joshua Weall. Finlay Simpson made good tags early on as well as crossing for a try, following good support play.

Mark Gowland made contributions across the park and Kaiden Robertson made useful runs, while Taren Heycock scored his first tries for the club.

The second game went much the same way as the first, but the undoubted star for Weston was Leon Beard, who tagged ferociously and showed a wonderful turn of pace to score four tries in quick succession.

He was ably supported by Heycock, who scored two tries, while Kaiden Robertson picked up a number of tags. It was left to Jack Hobbs to round off the day and score Weston’s final try of the day.

The Under-9s played host to a good Hornets side, playing two fantastic games. Weston ran in the first try with a hard run from Huw, who set up Tom. Hornets restarted and started to put the pressure on but Weston, who held firm with some great defensive work from Riley, Sam C, Olly and Tommy.

Weston got a turnover and broke again, this time through Jayden, who scored the next try. Hornets came back nd quickly levelled the scores.

Next it was Huw’s turn to go crashing over the line after a fine run and pass from Jude. The game stayed on a knife edge and at the final whistle, Weston ran out 5-4 winners after another try from Jayden.

The second game was equally as entertaining with both teams again starting well. Sam showed a great turn of speed, while Jude, Tommy and Robbie never stopped tackling and James used his size to good effect to help Weston take an early lead with two more tries for Jayden.

Hornet struck back with a try of their own and the game was then end-to-end with both sides scoring in turn.

Jayden scored again for Weston after great runs from Sam, Riley and Ollie. Hornets came back again with another score, only to see Weston strike again, with Tommy setting up Tom for this second score, after great work from Huw and Sam C.

But the match was not over as Hornets came back with a final score of their own to finish the match at 4-4.

The Under-8s welcomed two touring sides from Wales and also Hornets to the Rec for a great day of rugby. The first match was against Bridgend and both sides scored five tries in the first half.

In the second half, Weston got the bit between their teeth and ran away with the victory, turning over most of the Bridgend restarts with some impressive teamwork to score a further seven tries to Bridgend’s one to take the full time score to 12. Scores came from Ben Crook, William Crane (2), William Flavin (3) and George Nuttycombe (6).

In the second encounter, Weston started this match how they finished the last one with plenty of superb tries and tags, matched well by the Welsh team Glynneath.

Weston took the victory late in the second half with a few extra turnovers to take the score to 11-8. Scores came from William Crane, George Nuttycombe, and three each for William Flavin, Jacob Simpson and Bailey Seviour, on only his third appearance for the club.

The third match was against Hornets was a close affair and both sides wanted the victory and Weston wanted to keep a clean sheet for the day.

Again the teams got down to business with fantastic passing and tagging. Weston just edged the victory 10-9 with a late turnover to take the match. Scores came from William Crane, Jacob Simpson (3) and George Nuttycombe (6).

HORNETS Undedr-14s welcomed two teams to Hutton Moor and the hard ground led to two fast games.

Firstly, Hornets took on Thornbury and scored first after a break by captain Thomas Cocking and Bed Eades was finished off by Paddy Holyday. Despite good defence by Blake Williams, Bryn Turner and Keane Williams, Thornbury’s winger scored two tries before the break.

Good runs by Brandon Robinson, Jack Mohide and Adam Dover kept the opposition on their toes. Good work by Jordan Humphris and Harry Taylor gave Holyday his second try, converted by Keane.

The forwards began to shine and Robinson made a break, followed by Alex Francis. Holyday got the ball in his own half and scored a great try. Straight from the restart, Holyday scored his fourth of the game to make the final score 22-12.

The second game against Birmingham and Solihull was going to be tough as they had just trounced Thornbury.

Hornets started the game at top speed with Taylor scoring the opening try, before Birmingham’s broke through to tie the game at half-time.

After the break, Holday scored a superb try after good work by Cocking, but Birmingham managed to score two tries to win 17-10.

Special mention to Harry Taylor for a good performance at scrum-half and to Holyday for his fantastic five tries.

Three Under-8 teams met up at Weston’s ground for a feast of mini rugby. The three games ended for Hornets with losses to Bridgend 11-9, Weston 10-9 and a 5-5 draw with Bridgend. Hornets’ scorers were Finley, Haydn, Max, Oliver, Willow, Harvey and Adam.

After the game, three players were recognised for their contribution - Finley, Louis and Oliver.

The full squad was: Chris, Luke, Lucas, Cameron, William, Dan, Owen, Louis, Harry, Cooper, Finley, Haydn, Max, Oliver, Willow, Harvey and Adam.

The Under-11s travelled to take on Weston and visiting Bridgend in dry and cold conditions.

In the first game, the Welsh visitors showed Hornets how to bring the wingers into the game. Hornets missed several tackles, but won most of the scrums, resulting in three tries and although Tom Read scored a late consolation try, Hornets lost 3-1.

The game against Weston was a bit scrappy with not much tackling below the waist. It was deadlocked at half-time, but a couple of missed tackles resulted in Weston scoring first.

Hornets stepped up a gear and towards the end, a good steal by Tom Read at a Weston line-out resulted in an equaliser and the game ended level at one each.

After this, a combined Weston and Hornets team took on Bridgend in an England against Wales match, which England won 2-0.

Hornets Under-11s - Lawrence, Lloyd, Tyler and Tom Read defending their try line against Bridgend.

WINSCOMBE Under-14s took on touring side Birmingham & Solihull and ran out convincing 55-17 winners.

Winscombe opened the scoring with fly-half Joe Hartshorne chipping the defence and gathering his own kick, before Charlie Clough offloaded for George Harrison to score. Combe’s second was straight from the kick-off, when good work by Joe Duran was finished off by Alfie Light, converted by Hartshorne.

Further tries came from Duran and Light after good work by George Marsh and Connor Wall. Both were converted by Hartshorne.

At the start of the second half, Combe struggled to maintain their momentum and the visitors were first to score. Combe hit back straight away when Duran scored again. Birmingham again worked their way down field and scored from a five-metre scrum.

Further tries came from Pat Merryfield, Kit Butterworth (2) and Tom Amer, while Birmingham replied with their third try to fininsh the scoring.