Winscombe travelled to Weston to play the town’s second string, but were outplayed on the day.

Weston United 21 pts

Winscombe 7 pts

WINSCOMBE visited their seaside neighbours looking for a win to stay above them in the league but, as in the season’s earlier meeting, Weston had a bit too much forward power and experience in their side.

The game was played in the Winscombe half, but when they did get a sniff of the ball they showed attacking ambition and tried to run it back.

The opening converted try was scored after Weston worked a couple of phases to provide an opening for their outside-half to pop the ball to a prop who was on his shoulder to go over by the posts.

This stirred Winscombe into action, encouraged by skipper Dan Fryer, and they started to hit the rucks as hard as their opponents. Weston continued to apply pressure and their second converted try came from a well-organised line-out catch and drive.

The visitors came back into the game in the second quarter as Weston’s intensity level dropped, but only managed to conjure up one converted try. This came when they put great pressure on a Weston scrum five metres out and Lewis Podpadec pounced on the scrappy ball to score. Steve Pugh converted.

Weston started the second half with the same intent as they had begun the game, but the Winscombe defence held firm, even when a man short for ten minutes after Will Thomas received a yellow card.

Winscombe were looking for their second converted try to level the scores but, as often happens when chasing the game, a forced pass led to disaster.

With about five minutes left on the clock, the ball was fly hacked down the field and Weston scored a converted try.

By attempting to get more than a losing bonus point from the game in which Aaron Ford gained his 100th cap, Winscombe cruelly ended up with none.

THE 2nd XV recorded their fifth win on the trot. They beat Old Culverhaysians 76-3 and scored 12 tries through Oscar Wimshurst (3), Ben Irons (3), Matt Hoy-Green (2), Tom Ware, Wes Cox, Craig Telega and Phil Peat. Hoy-Green kicked eight conversions.