WESTON 28 pts CHIPPENHAM 22 pts - A TRY by acting skipper David Burge into time added finally settled the issue at the Recreation Ground.

WESTON 28 pts

CHIPPENHAM 22 pts

A TRY by acting skipper David Burge into time added finally settled the issue at the Recreation Ground.

Ten minutes into the second half Weston had deservedly established a 13-point advantage but Chippenham quickly responded with a converted try and they only needed the conversion of their fourth in the 82nd minute to secure the points.

Fortunately for the Seasiders the kick fell short and they were able to finish the match strongly.

Weston welcomed back James Mackay for his first match of the season and the fly-half was soon on target with well struck penalties in the first and fifth minutes, and moments later his break should have yielded a try, but Neil Trevenna knocked on with the line at his mercy.

But Mackay was soon in action again when he stole the ball from Sean Lilley, and with help from Kirk Middlemiss, George Sparks dived over at the posts.

Mackay converted but Jon Squire's individual try and a similar score by former South Africa scrum-half Hentie Martens brought the visitors back into the match.

Mackay's third penalty took the interval score to 16-10 and early in the second half Weston scored their second try.

Trevenna's strong break saw Andrew Richards over the line, the score was disallowed but the pack drove the ensuing five-metre scrum and Andrew Glen touched down for Mackay to add the conversion.

The hosts were now looking good for a win but they fell asleep as Chippenham took a quick penalty for Ben Shuker to capitalise. Rupert Crockett converted and for the next 15 minutes, Weston's defence was on full alert.

A 25-metre run by replacement David Steele relieved the pressure but Chippenham were not to be denied and Dan Shuker scored at the left corner.

There was now only one point in it and four minutes of stoppage time remaining but the Seasiders retained possession following replacement James Gallagher's steal at a ruck and when Mike Kempton won a five-metre line-out, the possession was driven and Burge finished things off.

Weston: C Young, J Arnold, K Middlemiss, H Warman, P Sprague, J Mackay, N Trevenna, D Price, D Burge (c), S Williams, A Richards, M Kempton, G Sparks, D Fry, A Glen. Reps used: E Smith, D Steele, J Gallagher.

WESTON'S worst injury crisis for many years still continues. Although far from fit, George Sparks, Dan Fry and David Burge all played against Chippenham but only Burge finished the match.

George Wright's broken ankle and Gavin Simpson's fractured eye orbital will keep them sidelined for several weeks as will James Reid's broken clavicle.

Further injuries meant that both the United at Gordano and the Athletic at Somerton were defeated in their respective league matches, the Athletic being able to field only 14 players.

The result of this situation has been the club's reluctant withdrawal from the Bristol Combination Cup at which they were due to meet Clifton last Tuesday.

Weston Athletic 5 pts

Somerton 1sts 74 pts

A SPIRITED but under strength Athletic travelled to Somerton with a 14-man squad for this important league fixture.

Somerton, one place above Weston, had it all to prove in front of the home crowd and made quick work in the early minutes demonstrating that they had the organisation and player power to take advantage of Weston's player deficit.

Matters got worse after 30 minutes when Weston lost winger Burns through injury and had to finish the remainder of the game with only 13 players.

The Weston players that took the field produced a committed effort. However, Somerton found it easy to take advantage of the gaps in the defence to rack up a cricket score. Weston gained a consolation try in the closing minutes of the second half with forwards going over with driving maul and Stamp collecting the points.