Sat 21 Mar 2026, 14:30
Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West
Weston-super-Mare 40 Okehampton 17
Weston-super-Mare maintained their unbeaten run this season and, with this victory over Okehampton, sealed the Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West title and promotion in the Club's 150th year, writes Chris Heath.
The hosts went in to the match knowing that second-placed Tiverton were 19 points behind, but with a game in hand. Just two points from this game would ensure Weston's first promotion since the end of the 2016/17 season.
Both sets of players emerged from the dressing room to be greeted by glorious sunshine and a large crowd, including a contingent of travelling supporters, to see if Okehampton, who proved to be difficult opponents in the reverse fixture, could end Weston’s phenomenal run.
A minute’s silence was held before kick-off in memory of Matt Salter, who recently passed away at age 49. Salter made over 150 appearances across two spells with Bristol Rugby and captained the side for five seasons. Later, he became Clifton’s head coach and then their director of rugby.
Weston, in tremendous form with excellent ball presentation, earned an early penalty. Shortly after, they won another penalty and made the most of it. Tighthead prop Ieuan John scored from a driving lineout.
Okehampton hit back with a fabulous try, which started when fly-half and skipper Tom McGratton kicked ahead. He collected the ball on the bounce and offloaded for outside centre Brandon Horn to score.
The visitors were right in the game but kept conceding penalties. This cost them as Weston No.8 Nasili Ikahihifo burst through for the side’s second try, converted by fly-half George Nuttycombe.
A charge down by right wing Keanu Ballard allowed hooker Gary Carpenter to reach the posts but not quite cross. The visitors then infringed again, and Ikahihifo capitalised, scoring his second try of the afternoon.
Nuttycombe again added the extras but back came Okes as full back Leon Horn ran and chipped his way to the line from eighty metres to cut the lead of the hosts to nine points approaching the half hour mark.
Weston fullback Chris Young fielded a clearing kick. Nuttycombe and centre partners Alex Howman and Marcus Nel combined to put Ballard in under the sticks, making Nuttycombe's conversion simple.
Persistent infringements by both sides caused a stop-start period of play. When referee Rhys Cleary blew for half-time, neither team was in the ascendancy. Weston held a 26-10 lead and had secured a try-scoring bonus point.
The visitors dominated early in the second half and almost scored a try but were held up over the line. Weston was not having things their own way, and the stuttering play was not helping.
Ten minutes into the half, good work by the Weston half-backs created space for left wing Hayden Main. But when he was stopped, Ikahihifo was on hand to pick up and go through the middle for his hat-trick try with Nuttycombe converting.
Okes wing Mikey Stevens was yellow-carded for a high tackle. After an interception, only Ballard’s try-saving tackle prevented the visitors from scoring. Weston then produced a tremendous defensive set to stop the visitors.
Eventually, Weston gained a penalty to relieve the pressure, but the relief was short-lived, and the visitors were rewarded for all their hard work with a try from replacement Saul Holliday, which was converted by Leon Horn.
Weston replaced John with Mason Turner in the sixty-fifth minute due to a shoulder injury. The hosts hit back with their own pressure, and Ikahihifo scored his fourth under the sticks again converted by Nuttycombe.
Young was then replaced by Cameron Maslen, and captain Charlie Brabham by Adam Fisher. Nel then intercepted an Okes pass but was caught short of the line. He was injured in the process but carried on manfully.
The visitors had one more shot at Weston's line, but they knocked on when over the whitewash. Well into injury time with Okes battering the home line, they knocked on again, and the referee blew the final whistle.
Tongan-born Ikahihifo was brought up in New Zealand and earned the “Man of the Match Award.” He scored four tries and has consistently performed all season. He has now scored 12 tries in 17 appearances.
The bonus-point victory takes Weston to 100 league points for the season and secures promotion to Regional 1 Tribute South West for the 2026/27 season. But they are looking to maintain this season’s 100% record.
On Saturday, Weston travel to Tiverton, now denied the title despite having a game in hand, after the Devon side were 50-21 winners at Cullompton. Weston’s final game of the season is on April 11 at home to sixth-placed Crediton, with a 3 pm kick-off, when more celebrations can be expected.
More photos to follow
