Sat 30 Nov 2024, 14:30
Saturday30 November 2024, KO 14:30
Club Secretary Ann Davies and United Manager upset and fed up polishing young men’s balls, throws the towel in! This was the situation at the end of the last home fixture with one ball missing in action. During the rest week and after much counselling, Ann admits that although they are a disconcerting shape she’s now much happier handling a pair of balls and is happy to stay on but isn’t looking forward to coping with an odd number again any time soon.
We welcome scrum half Nathan Cole to the United this week for his debut. Nathan historically a part time ships figurehead and dandy pirate has spent his formative years hanging round Brixham Harbour. Cole has recently moved to Weston following his heart and brings with him a collection of vintage hoovers.
Before we can start however there’s a clash or rather a match in the playing shirts. Throwing caution to the wind the Manager and librarian Ann acquires the tangerine strip and probably lands herself in hot water with the fastidious Bobbi Browne Rabbitt. The drama, duplicity, and conniving continues, one can only imagine where we will be next week but lets hope some Christmas spirit starts to seep in.
I won’t lie, I am ever the optimist and a week away and memories of the defeat to Wyvern are but a distance memory. A lot has, can change in the two weeks and this time the change is significant with Steve Worral returning to the club as head coach, assisted by Darren Crompton and Jon Bamsey, now there’s a thing none of us could have imagined a season ago. There’s been an immediate reaction to this by the players and I was able to witness an energetic, vocal and sharp training session on Tuesday. Clearly there’s a lot of work to do and we are in poor order with club Captain Gary Carpenter long term injured together with a number of other influential players but this change has encouraged some new faces to arrive at training and hopeful draw some old ones to give it ago again.
On that final note, today’s optimising isn’t missed placed with Charlie Owens retained with the United and Ross Chesher, appearing for the first time this season, both bring first XV experience with them. There is also the old guard in Gavin Simpson and James Matthews pulling on their boots and this game knowledge is sure to be beneficial. Given this great depth in the forwards hopefully we can see the backs with a little more time on the ball and run the shapes that have been developing.
If anyone is in doubt, don’t be, all these changes do not go unnoticed and the old guard whose legs won’t let them run any longer are enjoying the conversation, Brian Thomas at the usual place on the hoarding wanting the detail, John Brentnal asking the right questions, Colin Reeves picking through the detail and even Ollie Ridge with the team are at the score board ready with the numbers all wanting, hoping to see a change.
After all my ramblings we get to kick off and the United are looking confident and immediately the ball is slung wide, Huw Matthews loops the centre is in space but the returning pass is fumbled and knocked on. Somerton gather and race towards the United try line and the hope sinks a little, is this normal service? The attacker is drag down, the United work back and reform the attack. Backs have hands on, the ball sticks and Burns crosses the whitewash out wide, Sam Garrett misses the extras but the United are on the score board.
United 5-0 Somerton, 8mins
Somerton back into the United half but great jackling from Mark Walker turns the ball over for a clearing penalty. Ryan Donegan takes a good crash ball and there’s improvement from the big fella week on week. United now push into the Somerton half and a storming run from Chesher results in a forward pass and scrum to Somerton. United are back in control and backs run it wide Ollie Marshall is in space before being pulled down or tripping himself up, you decide, but importantly the ball is recycled and Owens is in under the posts for Garrett to be on target this time.
United 12-0 Somerton, 17mins
Somerton respond well and the useful 9 links with the 10 and 12 is released for a good individual try, finding a hole in our centres and racing through to score out wide.
United 12-5 Somerton, 21mins
James Matthews replaces Walker on 23 mins to see the vintage pair of Simpson and Matthews re-united on the pitch, stories are going to get tall in the bar later fellas, watch out. Donny Jnr makes way for Donny Senior at the same time. Chesher is in action again and the red pony is galloping away splitting the opposition.
There’s a marked improvement in the backs and the attack is really entertaining to watch as Nick Hawken crosses out wide only for the final pass to be judged forward. But the pressure from the United tells and a penalty is award in front of the posts which Garrett confidently converts.
United 15-5 Somerton, 30mins
Somerton respond well and catch the United rest on their laurels scoring under the posts for an easy conversion to follow.
United 15-12 Somerton, 38mins
United defend under pressure as we lose Ethan Westlake with a twisted ankle to see Donny Jnr back onto the field. We’re in action again and Somerton have the initiative continuing to pressure the United. A crunching tackle from James Matthews lifts the spirits, eases the pressure as does a try saving tackle from Ollie Marshall, the young fella at full back is definitely entertaining the crowd this week.
Half time and the United need to take a look at themselves, to many penalties from a lack of control over the ball and they are putting themselves under pressure with a game that is still there to be won. Simpson and Hudson gather the team, the chatting stops and minds are on task.
Darren Burns off for Ollie Martin, Walker back on and Donny Jnr off, Tom Blyth on for Truman Currie and Nathan Cole, fine debut, makes way for Dylan Way.
United start well and with the forwards creating a platform for the backs to come alive with Huw Matthews distribution improving, a miss from Garrett sees Marshall released with a final off load to the supporting Way who is in under the posts, Garrett collects the extras.
United 22-12 Somerton, 46mins
The restart see the United forwards secure the ball and great break from Simpson on the half way, Ollie Martin has arms up in celebration and then the big nosed Millhouse looky likely hits the quicksand 10 meters from the try line, gives a dreadful forward pass to the supporting Rhodri who is denied a try has he crashes over the line.
Although in the lead and playing some nice rugby the game isn’t won and the continual infringements at the breakdown finally prove to much for the referee and Tom Burge is dispatched to the sin bin with a Yellow card. More pressure on the United who work extra hard in defence to keep Somerton at bay.
The United are in control at scrum time but the line-out isn’t looking great and certainly room for improvement in this set piece.
Ollie Martin is starting to warm up in the centre and puts in a great tackle, knock on scrum United just inside the Somerton half. James Matthews now at 8 uses the pick and go draws in the 7 and gives Dylan Way more time on the ball. Huw Matthews again releases the centres and Tom Blyth is charging ball in hand, another player who is continually developing and improving and his enthusiasm is obvious. Somerton repel the attack and the United start again, this time Ollie Marshall hits the line at pace, takes on the Somerton defence and as he crosses the line is tackled high. Yellow card for Somerton and a penalty try is awarded.
United 29-12 Somerton, 72mins
Somerton take the restart and this time Owens breaks from half way, supporting run from Blyth who links to run in the last 5m, great support and a well earned try. Garrett sure footed to collect the extras.
United 34-12 Somerton, 74mins
There’s still time for more, and Ollie Marshal, United Man of the Match (what a load of bollocks, it’s a team sport, MOM is for children and kick ballers) has the last say crossing at the corner with Garrett completing a fine conversion.again at the corner
United 41-12 Somerton, 78mins
Full Time Weston RFC United 41 - 12 Somerton RFC
Thank you to our guests this afternoon, Somerton, for a highly entertaining game, we look forward to the return fixture in the new year.
As for the United, two old heads in forwards were really appreciated as was the returning Cheshire and the lively Owens.The forwards, save for the line-out, gave a much improved performance and the platform the backs have been longing for.
As for the backs, well look what you can do, some of the best running rugby we’ve seen for a while and a clutch of wonderful tries. There’s always room for improvement but embrace training Tuesday and Thursday, this week should be a little easier and you can all stand a bit taller, enjoy the beers this evening, coach trip next week, yes west.
Backs Nathan Cole, Huw Matthews, Trueman Currie, Sam Garrett, Darren Burns, Nick Hawken, Rich Frost, Ollie Marshall
Forwards Charlie Owens, Tom Burge, Ryan Donegan, Ethan Westlake, Ross Chesher, Rhodri Williams, Mark Walker, Gavin Simpson (c)
Reps (all used) Steve Donegan, James Matthews, Dylan Way, Ollie Martin, Tom Blyth
You are welcome, Mark Mongo Matthew
