Seasiders sink to another heavy defeat

CLIFTON 27 ptsWESTON 0 ptsWESTON suffered their third heavy defeat away from home when they went down by three goals and two penalties to nil to the league leaders at Cribb's Causeway.In a match in which the Seasiders' scrum went backwards for almost an hour and in which their line-out was not much better, a strange statistical quirk revealed they held the majority of territorial advantage.This was mainly due to the loose play of David Burge's pack, but this bonus was not used by a back division which failed to function. Three try-scoring opportunities went begging during the first half. Daniel Fry was clean through in the 15th minute, but lacked close support, Ross Bennett's break on the half hour broke down because of poor passing and the same fate befell Sean Bennett's skilful run a few minutes later.On the other hand, the hosts took everything which was offered. John Barnes' 38-metre penalty gave Clifton the lead, his second followed in the 30th minute and just before the interval he converted Oliver Sills' 50-metre try which was aided by poor defending.Weston's set scrum was still being turned over as Clifton exerted some pressure and 15 minutes into the second half the score became 20-nil when Barnes converted Sam Wilkes' try from a driven line-out. The introduction of Neil Lavender to the front row then stabilised Weston's scrum and for the next 30 minutes Clifton were on the back foot.But, aided by stealing a further five Weston line-outs and solid defending, they held sway, despite the splendid efforts of Sean Bennett, and in the final moments, a rare visit to the Weston line was rewarded with a try by David Butler which Barnes converted.Weston: C Crichton; K Middlemiss (M Armstrong 68), D Sanft, S Bennett, P Sprague; J Mackay, R Bennett; J Gallagher (N Lavender 55), D Burge (capt), D Price, M Kempton, A Russell, E Smith (J Harris 68), K Hobbs (sinbin 29), D Fry.