Weston gave a much improved performance to sink league leaders and near neighbours Bridgwater.

WESTON 36 pts

BRIDGWATER 17 pts

WESTON needed an improved performance at the Recreation Ground last Saturday if they were to overcome the league leaders, and this was precisely what they produced.

The important element of the piece was the defending close to their own line. There were two periods in the first-half and one in the second when a breach could have altered the match.

But on all three occasions, they held firm to run out winners by four goals, a try and two penalties to a goal and two tries.

Having led by 14 points by the 10th minute, they looked to be odds on winners. A brace of tries by Tom Crossman, both converted by Glenn Dickson sent the Seasiders on their way.

During the opening minute, two pushover attempts were thwarted. But Crossman’s first try followed Ashley Russell’s delivery from a line-out and the flanker did it again five minute later, Dickson converting both for that 14-point advantage.

Weston continued their habit of conceding penalties and Bridgwater used the touchline from kickable positions. But the hosts collectively hunt on and when it was their turn to attack they were rewarded with an unconverted try by Dickson.

The visitors responded with a sustained attack, and, despite Chris Young’s counter temporarily relieving the pressure, the Seasiders were on the back foot for the remainder of the half. Their defending was first class, but skipper George Sparks received a yellow card.

The second period started badly for the hosts, Dickson being stretchered off with a serious looking knee injury, but they took the score to 26-0 with a fine individual bonus point try by fly-half Dan Lomax which he converted himself.

At last, Bridgwater got themselves on the scoreboard in the 56th minute with a try by wing Tom Denovan and they doubled their total 10 minutes later with a similar score by full-back James Martin.

Weston then resisted more pressure until Martin converted a try by skipper Ollie Dunn to bring the score to 26-17.

The hosts were now looking vulnerable but nerves were partially settled by Lomax’s 81st minute penalty and in the fifth minute of time added, good work by scrum-half Hayden Tuttiett resulted in a 60-metre sprint to the line by flanker Shaun Eaton. Lomax’s second conversion settling matters.

This was a good effort by Weston against a Bridgwater side which had the bearing of their league position.

In view of the injury to Dickson it was good to see the performances of younsters Lomax and Robbie Mackay in the back division, together with the all-round display of Russell, all of which contributed to the impetus for victory which took them to sixth place in South West 1.

Weston: R Bennett, C Young, R Mackay, G Dickson, H Jones, D Lomax, H Tuttiett, R Ford, M Hocking, O Streeter, B Webb, A Russell, S Eaton, T Crossman, G Sparks (c). Replacements used: P Hobbs, S Fisher, M Burns.

There are no matches for the club on Saturday, but they will need to continue this form at Teignmouth on November 7, followed by a home match against Newent a week later (2.30pm).