A TRY in each half by skipper George Sparks was enough to ensure Weston’s victory over basement club Cleve in a somewhat disagreeable match at the Recreation Ground.

The Seasiders were undisputed winners by three tries to nil, but, during the first half, they spurned many chances which could have yielded a bonus point. They also turned possession over too many times for comfort. However, the defence was watertight and for the first time this season, the opposition went away try-less.

Weston started well and within five minutes they were on the scoreboard. Ross Bennett’s tap penalty saw Andrew Richards held on the line but Cleve were penalised again and Sparks touched down from the scrum option.

James Mackay converted, but after Gareth Knox had responded with a 30 metre penalty, Mackay was off target with a pair of attempts from 48 and 27 metres.

The following 15 minutes were both scrappy and niggly until just before the break when George Wright scored a splendid individual try.

The blind side flanker received possession 35 metres out and with little room, but he evaded three would-be tacklers to touch down in the left corner. Mackay’s conversion attempt struck the left post but Weston were leading by 12-3 at the interval.

The visitors were still very much in the match but nine minutes into the second half Sparks scored his second try. Mackay’s delicate chip fell into the hands of the No 8 and he galloped to the line for Mackay to majorise.

Cleve were enjoying plenty of possession and their centres, former Weston player T J Madamombe and Greg Setherton, were dangerous. But the home defence continued to hold firm to give the Seasiders their sixth league victory of the season.

Weston: J Waterman, K Middlemiss, S Saunders, S Bennett, P Sprague, J Mackay, R Bennett, E Hunt, D Burge, S Donegan, A Richards (R Bignell 50), A Russell, G Wright (sin bin 59), J Rudkin, G Sparks (capt). Replacements not used J Conway and D Elliott.

Although no-one shone brightly in the Weston ranks, there was one performance of note. Former Coventry and Moseley forward Richard Bignell was introduced into the back row for the final half hour and the 24-year-old’s contribution would not have gone unnoticed.