Seasiders register their 19th victory of the season

WESTON 26 pts

REDINGENSIANS 5 pts

BEFORE last Saturday, Weston’s record against Redingensians was poor. They had registered only three victories in 11 matches and the Berkshire club had won the previous five.

But an outstanding performance, particularly in defence brought them a worthy victory, their 19th in National 3 South West this season.

Added to this they scored three tries to one and James Mackay’s goal kicking did the rest. In fact, it was George Sparks and Mackay who sent the Seasiders to victory.

In the 18th minute the No 8 touched down from a pushover and he repeated the score 10 minutes later when he was on the end of a ferocious drive.

Mackay was unable to convert either scores but before the break he recovered his range with two penalties to take the hosts into the interval at 16-0.

Redingensians replied early in the second half with prop James Baker’s driven try, but Mackay extended the Seasiders’ advantage with his third penalty.

But in the 58th minute Weston flanker Paul Morrissey received a red card from referee Sara Cox for foul play and at the same time Paul Sprague was sent to the bin.

However, just before that Baker received red after his second yellow and for the following 10 minutes it was 14 against 13.

Weston’s defending became very important during this time and Harry Jones and Sam Smee had saved a certain try as the visitors continued their assault on the Weston line.

But hooker Craig Withers won a vital scrum against the put-in beneath his own posts to give Weston more breathing space.

There were still 20 minutes remaining and although the hosts were leading by 19-5, any cracks in the defence could have proved costly.

But all of Weston’s players made significant contributions and when Sprague returned from the bin, the veteran wing fastened onto a loose ball to sprint 22 metres to the posts. Mackay converted and the match was won.

After a couple of disappointing performances at Chippenham and Exmouth in March, Weston are now back on track although their remaining fixtures at London Irish and Amersham will be difficult.

Sparks is now Weston’s leading try scoring with 14 and a word regarding scrum-half Dan Lomax who had a fine match in what was his first start.

The 19-year-old has graduated from the club’s under-14s and looks to have a good future in the game.

Weston: R Bennett, P Sprague, H Jones, S Smee (C Young 88), M Watkins, J Mackay, D Lomax, D Swann (D Price 88), C Withers (D Price 3-25 blood), H Somers (G Sparks 78), A Glen (A Russell 48), A Russell (S Eaton 26), P Morrissey, G Sparks (H Somers 78).

NEW Zealander Glenn Dickson, who was Weston’s fly-half during the 2009/10 season, is to play for Premiership club Northampton Saints in 2013/14.

Dunedin-born Dickson, aged 26, scored 179 points for the Seasiders in 14 appearances.

When he touched down Weston’s third try in the Somerset Cup semi-final against North Petherton last week, No 8 George Sparks took his overall total to 50 in his 203 appearances.

Fly-half James Mackay, who had missed the previous three matches due to a shoulder injury, returned to score 14 points to take him past 250 for the season.

THE Renault Somerset Cup final between Weston and Old Redcliffians will take place at Bridgwater on April 25. The kick-off will be at 7.30pm.