Weston travelled to Newent and and defeated the home side, who had not lost at home for three seasons.

Newent 6 pts

Weston 25 pts

Weston travelled to Newent knowing this would be their sternest test so far this season and facing a side that had not lost at home for three seasons.

From the outset, the Gloucester outfit proved to be robust opponents, but Weston’s forwards soon had the home pack on the back foot and had forced an error which resulted in James Mackay’s simple penalty from 30 metres.

From the restart, Weston were on the attack with forwards and backs combining through a number of phases before Mackay’s slick pass saw Jones slice through the defence to score a fine try near the posts. With 15 minutes gone, Weston were two scores clear at 0-10.

This was the pattern for most of the first-half. With the wind at their backs, excellent tackling and with forwards and backs attacking at every opportunity, Weston were creating all the chances and forcing plenty of errors.

On 18 minutes, Mackay slotted his second penalty and Weston looked to be in control with a 13-point lead.

Weston No 8 Tom Crossman, who has been in fine form along with Bignell and the ever-improving Spelman, was unlucky to be yellow carded. Newent might have expected that this would redress the balance and allow them to build some momentum, but Weston had other ideas and they increased the intensity of their game and forced another two penalties converted by Mackay.

Two further chances were narrowly missed when Mackay attempted a penalty from more than 50 metres and Dickson had another which fell just short from 60 metres. Nevertheless, Weston went into half-time with a satisfactory 19-0 lead.

In the second half, Newent threw everything at Weston and with the wind at their backs they might have expected to erode Weston’s lead.

While Newent’s defence had been physical and potentially intimidating, Weston were clinical in their execution of tackles and limited Newent to two penalties, kicked by skipper Webb.

The last quarter was all Weston and they pressed strongly for a second try and with Newent’s Gellert yellow carded, they came close several times, but were happy to settle for a further two penalties by Mackay for Weston to run out worthy winners by 25-6, taking Newent’s unbeaten home game run.

With other results going their way, Weston have seized an early lead at the top of the SW1 league table.

Weston will justifiably be delighted with their first class defensive work and the quality of their attacking game against one of the best sides they will face this season.

They will be hoping for further success on Saturday when they face bottom of the table Chard at the Rec. Previously this had been scheduled for a Friday night game, but supporters should note the game will be a normal Saturday match with the kick-off at 3pm.