LAST week was a good one for Weston Rugby. On Wednesday, they won through to the final of the Somerset Cup by beating Clevedon, and on Saturday, they recovered from a poor first half to defeat Redingensians.

LAST week was a good one for Weston Rugby. On Wednesday, they won through to the final of the Somerset Cup by beating Clevedon, and on Saturday, they recovered from a poor first half to defeat Redingensians in National 3 South West with the final kick of the match.

WESTON 22 pts

REDINGENSIANS 21 pts

A HUGE 50-metre penalty by Glenn Dickson in the eighth minute of stoppage time finally gave Weston the victory they just about deserved at the Recreation Ground.

Ten minutes before it looked as if Redingensians would take the spoils when Peter Freeth kicked his third penalty to give his team a two-point advantage. But Weston, who had enjoyed a good second half, kept going until the end and were justly rewarded.

Earlier, the Seasiders had looked somewhat jaded following their exertions during the week.

Their first-up tackling was well below par and the visitors had scored two simple tries by A L Hopkins and Craig Clements, and Freeth had added a penalty and a conversion.

On a couple of rare visits to Redingensians territory, Dickson had kicked what were to be valuable penalties from 45 and 28 metres, but at 15-6 in arrears at the interval and with the visitors playing so easily, Weston were staring down the barrel.

However, the second half was a different story. Within six minutes, Andrew Richards had made the necessary ground to off-load to George Wright whose skilful dummy sent him 35 metres to the posts.

Dickson's conversion brought the Seasiders back into the equasion, but Freeth's penalty gave the visitors a five-point advantage after the hosts had conceded 10 metres following unauthorised conversation with referee Doug Neagle.

But within 10 minutes Weston were a single point ahead with Dickson's penalty and his drop goal after strong charges by Richards and Andrew Glen, and Harry Warman's well presented possession at a ruck.

As the match drew to a close, Freeth's penalty gave the visitors the lead for the second time, but as time was added, Weston were awarded their12th penalty of the match.

On enquiry, skipper George Sparks was advised there was no time for a line-out and Dickson had no option but to go for goal. The rest, as they say, is history.

Weston: H Warman; K Middlemiss, J Mackay, S Bennett, P Sprague; D Dickson, J Conway; D Price, D Burge, S Donegan (sinbin 44), A Richards, A Glen, E Smith (L Grimes 9-11) (D Fry 72, G Wright, G Sparks (capt). Replacement (not used): C Young.

WESTON 19 pts

CLEVEDON 14 pts

HOLDERS Weston went through to the final of the Somerset Blackthorn Cup with this narrow victory over Clevedon at Bridgwater.

The Seasiders were penned back in their own territory for much of the first half but they managed to escape in the 16th minute with Paul Sprague's corner try from a stolen line-out.

However, inspired by an outstanding performance by centre Ashley Vailes, Clevedon deservedly led at the interval with No 8 Harvey Russell's try, converted by Steve Johnson.

The standard of goal kicking was not the best with both Johnson and Glenn Dickson failing, but Dickson was on target at last with a 44th minute penalty to give Weston a single point advantage.

The loss of Clevedon skipper John Potts coincided with the arrival from the bench of Steve Donegan and from then on, the Weston scrum gained the required impetus.

On the hour Weston opted for a touchline penalty and George Sparks' line-out catch was taken on by Dan Fry whose inside pass was accepted by Andrew Richards who scored wide out.

Again the try went unconverted but Dickson found some kicking form to increase the lead with his second and third penalties.

Weston were now ahead by 19-7 with five minutes of normal time remaining but Clevedon ended as they had started with fly-half Tom Thie's try at the posts, Johnson converting.

Weston will meet Taunton in the final, the date and venue will be announced shortly.

Weston: N Trevena (M Burns 72, J Arnold, S Bennett, J Mackay, P Sprague, G Dickson, J Conway, D Price, C Withers (D Burge 54), S Williams (S Donegan 56), A Richards, A Glen, D Fry (E Smith 76), G Wright, G Sparks (c).

IN an amazing transformation since the beginning of the year, the Seasiders have now won seven of their last eight matches in National 3 South West.

On Saturday, they travel to Taunton to take on the champions-elect and judging by the current form of both teams, this is a match not to be missed.

Weston Utd 55 pts

Combe Down 7 pts

UNITED got back to winning ways against opposition who had beaten them earlier in the season.

Weston started with a bang and were three tries to the good after less than 15 minutes. Chris Hurd and James Arnold twice crossing the line.

The forwards were now gaining the upper hand in the loose and it was fittingly captain Stuart Board who scored next. Main again converting. Arnold reached his hat trick courtesy of a superb break by open side flanker Kevin.

With the score 29-0 at the break it was to Combe Down's credit that they kept fighting but Board grabbed his second of the afternoon, followed soon after by Arnold dancing his way to the line for his fourth. Both these tries were converted by Main.

Combe Down deservedly got on the score sheet when their outside centre broke through to go under the posts, but further tries by wing Darren Hancock and then Main himself put Weston out of sight. Main converted Hancock's try.

There were some impressive performances in a good team effort, notably hooker Craig Withers along with Hobbs, Main and lock Simon Hudson, but it was Arnold who was king with his deadly finishing.