A hat-trick by George Sparks was not enough to save Weston from a home defeat to Bracknell.

WESTON 32 pts

BRACKNELL 45 pts

WESTON fell to their eighth league defeat when they went down to Bracknell by six tries to five at the Recreation Ground.

The visitors were superior in every aspect of the match except in the set scrums, where Weston continued their season’s dominance.

This, and some excellent driving at the line-out produced a hat-trick of tries for skipper George Sparks and a penalty try, but in all other departments, Bracknell held sway.

The visitors were soon six points ahead via two penalties by wing George Owen, but new fly-half Iain Chisholm replied with a similar score.

Bracknell went further ahead with wing Ian Burch’s try before Sparks’ first pushover score in the 39th minute.

But dreadful defending two minutes later let in fly-half Joe Price for a try which Owen converted.

However, in first-half time added, Sparks’ second pushover and Chisholm’s conversion took the Seasiders to 15-18.

But some of Weston’s kicking from hand would cost them dear in the second half. In the 49th and 55th minutes, counter attacks by Bracknell produced two tries by Owen, the second of which he converted.

However, Weston replied again six minutes later when another strong scrummage resulted in a penalty try, which Chisholm converted for 22-30.

But a knock-on inside their own 22 donated Owen’s third penalty before Sparks was driven over to complete his hat-trick.

A brace of tries by visiting full-back Stuart Mackay completed their scoring before the Seasiders had the final word with wing Ollie Caton’s first senior try.

Weston: J Skelton, J Reyes, H Jones, R Mackay, O Caton, I Chisholm, H Tuttiett, D Crompton, C Withers, O Streeter, E Bulger, A Glen, B Cox, S Eaton, G Sparks (c). Replacements used: E Hunt, R Johnston and C Young.

New Weston fly-half Iain Chisholm became the 40th player to be used in the 1st XV in last Saturday’s match against Bracknell, the 11th match of the season.

On Saturday, Weston host Bridgwater in the first round of the Somerset Cup. The kick-off at the Recreation Ground will be at 2.30pm.