Weston held out to record victory over North Petherton, despite conceding 20 penalties against their visitors.

Weston 21 pts

North Petherton 17 pts

During this re-arranged match at the Recreation Ground last Thursday, a total of 23 penalties were awarded, 20 of them against Weston.

This was an unusual statistic and credit must be given to the Seasiders who eventually triumphed three tries to two, despite being further hampered by the receipt of three yellow cards.

Dan Lomax converted all of Weston’s tries, two of them from the touchline, to make a vital contribution.

Weston started well and Lomax was unlucky when his 42-metre penalty attempt struck a post. This was followed by a long break by Kirk Middlemiss, but it was Petherton who led in the 10th minute with full-back Harry Roberts’ 35-metre effort.

On the half-hour, Kyle Prescott’s short-range try and Roberts’ conversion gave the visitors a 10-point advantage.

But five minutes later, Weston replied with a free-kick drive resulting in a try for hooker Mike Hocking. Lomax converted for 7-10, but just before the break, Paul Morrissey was yellow carded.

Weston started the second half well. Wing Matthew Watkins sprinted 40 metres down the left before delivering the scoring pass to the supporting full-back Ross Bennett.

Lomax converted from the touchline and the young fly-half was soon adding the extras from the same position after Huw Morgan’s break had provided a try for Chris Young.

Weston were now 21-10 to the good, but the visitors replied in strength and it was as well that the hosts’ scrum and line-out were in full working order. They also defended to a man as Petherton attacked relentlessly.

But Ollie Streeter and Ashley Russell were both yellow carded in stoppage time before conceding a try to No 8 Arron Gibbs’ pushover, which Roberts converted for a losing bonus point.

Weston: R Bennett, C Young, H Morgan, K Middlemiss, M Watkins, D Lomax, H Tuttiett, S Coles, M Hocking, O Streeter, A Glen, A Russell, G Sparks, R Bignell, P Morrissey. Replacement used: J Whatley, B Webb, O Caton.

The Seasiders, who are now aiming for a play-off place remain in fourth position in South West 1 with 72 points, seven behind Newent and Thornbury and it would seem that their away match at the latter on April 9 will have a significant effect on the final positions.

Skipper George Sparks and his team will have been grateful for the blank date on Saturday before hosting Chard on April 2.

They travel to Clevedon on the 15th before receiving the leaders Camborne on the final day of the league season.

With regard to the Somerset Cup final, both Weston and Hornets have jointly requested that the match be played at the Recreation Ground at a date to be decided. At the time of going to press, the county have yet to make a decision.

A bucket collection around the ground during Thursday’s match raised £375 for the benefit of North Petherton fly-half Chad Lowrie, who sustained a serious leg injury during the original abandoned fixture on March 5.

The New Zealander is now out of hospital and was able to attend the replay.