Regional 1 South West

Weston-super-Mare 19 Lydney 17

 Report by Chris Heath

Weston-super-Mare won this scrappy home encounter courtesy of two decisive conversions by full-back Kyran Devitt who managed to win the kicking game by two to one to edge out scrum-half Tom Broady who could only manage one.

With both sides scoring three tries, these kicks, in blustery condition, may prove vital in Weston-super-Mare's fight to secure another season in the Regional 1 South West Premier league.

The visitors took an early lead when, after a fifty-twenty-two kick, the lineout was secured, and a catch and drive saw hooker Rob White put Lydney in front, but Broady could not convert.

Weston hit back and gained several penalty scrums, none of which ended in a penalty try, but eventually, their persistence told when No.8 AJ Hussell was allowed to touch down after a pushover.

On the half-hour, the visitors regained the lead again when full-back Sami Hamid broke through some non-existent tackling to go seven points up going into the break. This was a poor half for Weston, who were given a rocket at half time.

This immediately produced results as the home side battered the visitors' line resulting in two yellow cards, firstly for lock Riley Scriven after a high tackle and a minute later for skipper Jack Spencer for pulling down in the lineout.

But Weston could not work out how to turn their pressure into points, and there was further exasperation when flanker Ben Cox was given a card for holding on to the ball in the tackle. A first as far as can be remembered.

Lydney then were penalised for holding on, but no yellow was forthcoming, but from the resulting penalty scrum, Weston right-wing Huw Morgan cut in to take a pass from fly-half Dan Lomax to go under the sticks. Devitt converted, and Weston were level. 

Weston then took off scrum-half Jack Press put Lomax to nine and brought on Joe Thomas to fly half. The move produced dividends when Lomax snuck in down the blindside after persistent pressure by the forwards. 

An excellent and, in the end, decisive Devitt conversion from the touchline gave the hosts a seven-point lead. A much improved second-half performance was somewhat spoilt by conceding another soft try near the end by flanker Joe McClean.

But luckily for Weston, it was scored wide out on the left, and what would have been the levelling conversion and a penalty attempt were missed by Broady, leaving Lydney with a losing bonus point.

Hussell and returning skipper Tom Sugg, in his first start since his bad injury in November, led from the front, and if the team can cut out the soft lapses of concentration at Exmouth on Saturday, then a vital third win on the trot may be a reachable goal.

Weston-super-Mare remain tenth in the table, level on 39 points with Okehampton, who have the edge, having won more matches and played one less game. Old Centralians, with a game in hand, are five points behind Weston. 

A late penalty by fly-half Mitch Pinkus gave third-placed Brixham, who host Weston on March 11, a 16-14 home victory over Exmouth, who are six points above Weston.

Weston-super-Mare scorers – tries: AJ Hussell, Huw Morgan, Dan Lomax; cons: Kyran Devitt (2).

Lydney scorers – tries: Rob White, Sami Hamid, Joe McClean; con: Tom Broady.

Match Photos HERE