Sat 16 Nov 2024, 15:00
On their first ever visit to Witney Weston received the kick off and quickly cleared their line. In their first meaningful attack Witney earned a penalty which they kicked to the corner for a line out. From the resulting catch and drive Weston infringed again and an identical situation arose. However Weston nullified the threat and were awarded a scrum.
Witney were throwing everything at these early stages and only a spilt pass with the line beckoning prevented the hosts from opening the scoring .
Weston were now growing into the game with notable forays by prop Charlie Brabham and centre Cameron Maslen on his one hundredth appearance.
However a knock forward by the visitors gave the hosts a chance to clear which they achieved with a fifty twenty but once again Weston's line held due to good work by lock Ross Chesher.
More good work by Lock Bede Brown and fly half George Nuttycombe resulted in a penalty to Weston but after kicking for touch the line out was a mess and Witney cleared their line.
The try when it came was tremendous.
Flanker Tom Lewis carried and then centre Archie Tilsley gave a magnificent short pass to Maslen who broke through to present full back and captain Chris Young the opening points. Nuttycombe missed the extras but Weston were on the scoresheet. Weston were looking dangerous but handling let them down on more than one occasion.
From one such moment Witney were rewarded with yet another penalty and were now in prime position. Weston's defence held until right on the stroke of half time when eventually the sheer persistence of the hosts allowed them to equalise and then take the lead with a superb conversion.
Weston started the second half strongly with Tilsley making a lovely half break which in the end after a penalty award led to Brown crashing over to regain the lead.
The conversion attempt hit the post.
Weston then conceded a penalty from a scrum and Witney kicked into the corner and from the line out produced a great try to retake the lead.
Weston conceded again shortly after when a precise grubba by Witneys fly half bounced perfectly into the left wings hands for their third try.
Weston countered and found themselves camped on the hosts line. Witney kept infringing and after nearly messing up Brown charged down an attempted clearance to give Nuttycombe an easy conversion. The game was now on a knife edge and Weston were on top but once again their hands let them down.
Weston nearly scored when replacement number eight George Sparks broke through but Weston's penchant for giving away soft penalties reared it's ugly head yet again right on Witneys line and from the restart they gleefully kicked the ball into touch to win the game.
Once again a game of what could have been with a little bit more discipline
in dangerous positions definitely something to consider.
