Weston were humbled at the Recreation Ground when they lost 42-8 to Exmouth.
WESTON 8 pts
EXMOUTH 42 pts
THE bare facts are that Exmouth played well and Weston were at their poorest, this resulting in the hosts being humbled at the Recreation Ground by six tries to one.
The Seasiders’ handling errors donated Exmouth with three of their tries, the first of which arrived in the 21st minute.
But before that, the visitors took advantage of an early mistake and quickly camped on the home line. Weston managed to rescue a dangerous situation and a minute later, James Mackay was unlucky to see his 48 metre penalty attempt strike a post.
Wing Sam Smee then went close but as they attacked again, their passing broke down and Exmouth flanker James Harris touched down their first try after Dave Bargent’s long kick and chase. Fly-half Andrew Powell converted.
On the half-hour, more loose handling saw Matt Ryan add to the visitors’ advantage and when Weston gave possession away four minutes later, the same player grabbed his second score.
In between, Mackay kicked a penalty via a post, but Powell replied in kind to bring the score to 3-20.
In first half added time, Exmouth scored crucially through prop George Savage and Mackay was just short with a 40 metre penalty attempt.
Weston settled down in the early part of the second half, but they lost skipper Gavin Simpson with a leg injury and after Powell had kicked his second penalty, he was soon converting his own try to put the result beyond doubt.
David Burge scored Weston’s consolation try in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but the visitors had the final word with their sixth try, scored by Bargent.
Weston: R Bennett, S Smee, H Jones, S Edwards, J Arnold, J Mackay, S Disney, D Swann, D Burge, P Hobbs, G Simpson (c), A Russell, G Wright, K Hobbs, G Sparks. Reps: S Donegan, S Eaton and M Watkins.
Weston will be disappointed with this performance. Their set scrum went well with David Swann, Burge, Phil Hobbs and replacement Steve Donegan carrying out their usual duties. Their line-out, although not perfect, was satisfactory, but their general handling left much to be desired.
These problems will have to be addressed, especially as the next two matches being of the difficult variety.
On Saturday they travel to Redingensians and on December 8, they host the divisions unbeaten leaders, London Irish Wild Geese.
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