Sat 22 Mar 2025, 14:30
Weston-super-Mare RFC United v Chard 2nds RFC
Saturday 22 March 2025, KO 14:30
With the season drawing to an end the United entertain Chard for their final home game of the season with only a clash with top of the table Castle Cary to come, 5 April. With the United secure in their league, and a great turn around in a season that didn’t start well this game remains all important and another win a must to match the United’s away result in January.
We are hosting a depleted Chard team with the bear 13. Chard however mean business as this game could have easily been a walk over but, Chard 2nds are in a relegation battle with Somerton sitting just above them in 3rd place. Not showing and losing 5 pts was clearly not acceptable so all credit to the fellas and their coach who pulled on his boots on to make a game of it.
With some notable absences in the 1st XV today the United also field a changed side although the basis of the team that turned the season around are present. To note however we have 4 colts in the team this week, Rowan Bird who has made the transition from the colts to senior rugby all season is a great prospect for the future and has a number of 1st XV caps under his belt. Ollie Dadds who made his debut from the bench two weeks ago now starts at 10, Keiran Van Russel is back in the second row and finally Brigham Roo Beckett makes his debut for the United on the wing. I’ll also mention Ollie Marshall, not present today but this 5th Colt has also made a great contribution to the team this season regularly appearing in the 15 Jersey.
Before I go any further and noting it’s Brigham’s debut it seems only fair to give a little more detail in regard this newest addition. Brigham, commonly known has Roo has an unhealthy interest in marsupials, and his biggest hero is the late Steve Irwin. In his spare time he likes nothing more than producing water colours of the rugged Mendip landscape and tie dying T Shirts. Pre-match supper involves a generous potion of Kiviaq, washed down with Iron-Bru.
I believe Ollie Dadds missed his introduction with the write up for Somerton still pending. Ollie’s biggest hero’s are all of his big sisters and he’s always going on about how well they play and what wonderful people they are, although he does have some reservations around Jess and the strange accent she now communicates with. Ollie aspires to be a lamp post and regularly sleeps with his feet in grow bags. Although making a reasonable fist of 10 he secretly, like all backs, wants to be in the forwards and play lock. In his spare time Ollie enjoys needle point and classical Greek Literature.
United KO and Chard knock on, United scrum on the 10m line. United fumble and Chard counter pushing deep into the United half. The United defend well and with ball in hand work back up the f ield. A final knock by Chard gives the United an attacking scrum inside the 22. Owens, normally in the front row, is starting a no. 8 today. The scrum is won and Owens picks from the base and drives over for the first score of the day, Dillion Way misses with the extras but a promising start.
United 5-0 Chard, 5mins
Chard catch the United sleeping, relaxing on the work put in and respond in kind with a fine try. They are not accurate with the boot and we have parity again.
United 5-5 Chard, 6mins
It’s a wake up call for the United and with the two man advantage they start to impose themselves, Harry “YEST’ na razMYER BOL’she?” Nash scampers over from the back of a driving line out, Way unfortunately misses the extras. Nash was later heard bragging that he put in a swallow dive when scoring. This was naturally met with eye watering laughter and the bar was temporary closed while the staff recovered. In his defence the photographic evidence has been scientifically inspected and there is light below his derby and you’d have no problem sliding a rizzler paper under.
United 10-5 Chard, 13mins
Nick Hawken breaks from 22, great support running from Huw Matthews and Roo Beckett but its not required and Nick cruising in under the posts, Way collects the extras.
United 17-5 Chard, 15mins
Tries are coming thick and fast and Josh Cook is next to benefit and collects out wide from a Dadds kick and goes under the posts. Way collects extras as his boot finds the target again.
United 24-5 Chard, 18mins
There’s barely time to catch a breath and it’s Rowan Bird’s turn breaking and finishing under the sticks, Dadds takes the tee and collects extras. United 31-5 Chard, 21mins Hawken is back for more and a second try, Dadds collects secures the extras.
United 38-5 Chard, 33mins
There’s a slight hiccup and Van Russel receives a Yellow card. I spot Dad, Chris in the stand and I’m instantly reminded of the skulduggery the Spy used to get up to, 37mins.
The moment of disorganisation provides an opportunity for Chard and they cross the whitewash for 2nd. 38-10, 39mins
As we run into a few minutes of extra time in the first half Cook is in for his 2nd try and Dadds has the last say with the extras, 42mins. A great first half and the team look comfortable. Williams has been good in the line-out linking well with Westlake and its been good to see the backs calling moves.
Half time United 45-19 Chard 2nds
The second half starts and the United cross the line first with Vinnie Jones scoring out wide for a well deserved try.
United 50-10 Chard, 43mins
When we played away at Chard the score line flattered the United and Chard played competitively to the end. In the same way they showed what they were about and enjoyed the best of the next phase scoring a 3rd try and converting.
United 50-17 Chard, 46mins
Huw Matthews makes way for Dave Steele, and it’s Dave’s first game following a difficult season so good to see him with his boots on again, 50mins Chard still in control score again and will get a bonus point that may prove very important.
United 50-24 Chard, 52mins
The United resume control and Cook scores his 3rd. Donegan and Nash (Hardy & Hardy, no Laurel there) are a vocal double act entertaining players and ref in equal measure.
U 55-24 Chard, 55mins
Steve Donegan is replaced by Simon Hudson and Vinnie Jones makes way for Chris Ashworth, 55mins.
Owens rampages away for a 2nd, Dadds is good for the extras.
United 62-24 Chard, 58mins
The final score of the day is Hawken’s 3rd and Dadds converts again before the game is played out.
United 69-24 Chard, 60mins
Full time Weston-super-Mare RFC United 69-24 Chard RFC 2nds
Thank you to our guest today Chard who played in good spirits and showed great character. We wish you every success for your final game of the season and really do hope To see you in 2025/26.
Well done to the United who have really matured as a team with old heads and young combining for some great results. Let’s all try and have a run out on Tuesday this week the only session and make the two final sessions the following week to put us in the very best position to meet castle Cary. The club is working really hard to secure the coaching set up now for next season, we have had some really positive conversations but it needs your effort to make it work and provide a player base to coach. We need completion twice a week, make selection difficult challenge everything and put your hand up. No player is anymore or less important and the greater the number training the greater the result for the club and each team will grow.
Well done enjoy the win.
Backs Dillon Way, Ollie Dadds, Brigham Roo Beckett, Nick Hawken, Huw Matthews, Rowan Bird, Josh Cook
Forwards Harry Nash, Ethan Westlake, Steve Donegan (c), Kieran Van Russel, Mike Powel, Vinnie Jones, Rhodri Williams, Charlie Owens
Reps (all used) Simon Hudson, Chris Ashworth, David Steele
The pleasure is all yours,
Mark Mongo Matthews
United winning at Caslte Cary, a few seasons ago
Back Row C Larkin, W Bingham, P Hudson, N Stamp, M Matthews, D Hancock, H Hunt, C Darlyston, A Fisher, A Larkin, A Bush, D Wheatly, J Matthews, M Philp, A Glen, G Simpson.
Kneeling D Hannam, D Steele, A Moig, G Hill, P Whatley, J Arnold, M Down, J Board, N Coleman
