Weston fly-half James Mackay starred in his team’s narrow defeat at Amersham & Chiltern.

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN 32 pts

WESTON 26 pts

AN outstanding display by James Mackay was not quite enough to secure victory at Amersham.

The fly-half scored 21 of Weston’s points and was largely responsible for their other score as they looked to be heading for an unlikely win with five minutes of normal time remaining. But the hosts took the match with two late scores.

It was a sad end for Weston’s depleted team which had performed admirably against the odds.

Amersham led in the second minute with Tim Lloyd’s try, converted by Dan Wood, but Weston responded quickly.

Wing Matt Watkins was stopped at the left corner, and a 70-metre run by Harry Jones from his own 22 gave the Seasiders an attacking position.

Mackay’s break was well supported by centre Luke Blizzard who touched down his first try for the 1st XV.

Mackay converted but Amersham were soon back in the lead with wing Sam Portland’s try converted by Wood.

Two penalties from Mackay and one in reply by Wood gave Weston the edge at 15-20, but poor defending let in skipper Craig Webb for Wood to convert for a scoreline of 22-20 at the break.

Weston attacked vigorously early in the second half and they were rewarded with Mackay’s third penalty, and in the 64th minutes, his fourth gave Weston a 22-26 advantage.

But during the final five minutes they conceded tries by centre David Skelton and Webb’s second.

With two tries disallowed, the Seasiders deserved better than the single losing bonus point but they have done well to finish in third place in National 3 South West.

They play in the Renault Somerset Cup final tonight (Thurs) against Old Redcliffians and no doubt physiotherapist Tom Gawman will have been kept busy in an attempt to lessen the team’s injury problems.

Weston: R Bennett, P Sprague, L Blizzard, H Jones, M Watkins, J Mackay, D Waldon, D Swann, C Withers, D Price, P Hobbs, S Hudson, J Matthews, S Eaton, A Russell (c). Reps: D Burge, S Bennett, D Lomax.

WESTON hooker David Burge made his 250th senior appearance when he came off the bench at Amersham.

Weston-born Burge started his career in the club’s Under-9 mini squad and progressed through the junior section and colts to make his senior debut as a replacement at North Walsham on April 3, 1999.

A week later, his first start was at Stroud. Burge, who is a land surveyor has scored 51 tries.