Weston won their eighth match from nine starts when they beat Chippenham at the Recreation Ground.

WESTON 32 pts

CHIPPENHAM 29 pts

WESTON won their eighth match from nine starts but as the scoreline suggests, it was a close run thing.

In the sixth minute of second half time added, the visitors had the chance to level matters, but fly-half Chris Simmons’ penalty attempt sailed wide.

Chippenham had fought back from a 17 point deficit and had scored 12 second half points to the hosts’ three, but the Seasiders held on.

They started with a fourth minute try by hooker Dave Burge after some slick passing by centres Harry Jones and Sylvan Edwards.

James Mackay converted, and the fly-half then made a major contribution to flanker Grady Wright’s first senior try. Mackay converted again and then added a 39 metre penalty.

Chippenham replied when Simmons converted a try by wing Ryan Surry, but skipper Gavin Simpson was soon touching down a pushover try after opting for a penalty scrum.

Mackay’s third conversion took him to 100 points for the season, but the visitors hit back in the 34th minute with a successful kick and chase by wing Christian Novik.

Simmons converted but Weston replied immediately with Burge’s second try following Ashley Russell’s catch and drive.

Simmons’ penalty brought the interval score to 29-17, but just after the break he converted Surry’s second try.

Another penalty by Mackay put the Seasiders eight points clear but replacement John Boddington’s unconverted try took the visitors to within three points of the Weston total. Simmons could have earned his team an extra bonus point, but his failure heralded the sound of the final whistle.

Weston: R Bennett (M Watkins 75), S Smee, H Jones, S Edwards, J Arnold, J Mackay, D Waldon, D Swann (S Donegan 6) (P Hobbs 65), P Hobbs (D Swann h/t), H Somers, A Russell, G Wright, K Hobbs (S Eaton h/t), G Simpson (c).

Chippenham have never beaten the Seasiders in 11 attempts and Simpson’s pack was always on top, especially at scrum time. The Weston line-out was also on song with Burge’s accurate feeding and Russell and Harry Somers the providers.

On Saturday they travel to Oxford Harlequins.

WESTON RFC’s supporters should not that the kick-off times at the Recreation Ground from November 1 to the end of February will be at 2.30pm.

Weston United’s home match against Stothert & Pitt will now be played on November 10 and not the 3rd as listed in the fixture cards.