Sat 1 Mar 2025, 14:30
On a glorious Saturday afternoon this was an important match for both sides who were near the wrong end of the table.
Weston had an early chance but after opening Witney up the final pass was put down and there then followed a series of Witney drives aided by some indiscipline by the hosts but they held out.
Weston had another chance to open the scoring but once again spilt the final pass after excellent team play. This seemed to spur the visitors back into action and following a series of infringements Weston were back on their line defending a penalty line out and this time Witney took advantage to open the scoring through their captain Matthew Webb.
The conversion was missed.
The lead didn't last long and after Witney
conceded a penalty hooker Fatai Koloi crashed over and centre Archie Tilsley converted to put Weston in the lead.
This didn't last long as Webb brushed aside the home defence to score near the sticks. The extras were missed again.
Weston hit back straight away when from a line out number eight Jay Davis dummied and went over. Tilsley once again providing the extras.
Weston then took advantage of another infringement by Witney by electing to take another three points through Tilsley.
Weston's line out in the first forty was much improved with Kolois throwing in and flanker Callum Kingscott excelling to ensure a steady stream of good ball.
Witney attacked from the off in the second period and it wasn't long before they went over for their third try through their lock to reduce the deficit to two points.
Weston looked to have scored again but lock George Talbot was held up over the line. Witney however had infringed and this resulted in a yellow card for the Witney loose head. Weston elected to take the scrum and Davis once again battered his way over. The conversion again succeeded.
Straight from the kick off Davis broke away and raced sixty metres to claim his third and Weston's bonus point try.
Witney were not done and after an excellent period of play crossed under the posts to allow their kicker to kick his first conversion of the afternoon. Unfortunately this also led to the hat trick hero being given a yellow.
It was now harum scarum stuff and when Witney received another yellow Weston attacked with venom and Koloi went over for his second and Weston's fifth.
Tilsley converted again.
A kick ahead by right wing Ryan Watterston bounced fantastically for the speedster who gathered to go under the posts. The extras again achieved by Tilsley.
Skipper Christopher Young was then somewhat unfortunately yellow carded for what was deemed to be a deliberate knock on.
Witney later siege to the home line but an interception by full back George Chapman who then raced ninety metres before finding quick sand but still had the wherewithal to offload to Watterston who had gamely supported. Tilsley again hitting the extras.
This proved to be the final points of the game and Weston ran out worthy winners in the end.
This was Koloi's final game before returning home to New Zealand and it was fitting that his hard work and dedication was rewarded by two tries.
