Weston-super-Mare 17 Old Patesians 28

Chris Crichton's try hat-trick was the highlight of an otherwise disappointing performance by Weston as they went down to the Old Patesians at the Recreation Ground.

The newly relegated Old Pats have kept all of their players from their National League days and this was emphasised by the superior weight and experience of their pack, which held sway for most of the match.

But this advantage was no excuse for allowing their No 8 James Pettigrew to run 25 metres from a set scrum to put his team 10-0 ahead.

And in the first moments of the second half, Pettigrew's 40 metre surge past non existent defenders eventually led to the visitors' third try, scored by wing Joe Pointon.

An early failed touch-finder gave the Pats the lead with a second minute try by Chris Downes but the hosts responded with promising forays by wings Crichton, and debutant Kirk Middlemiss, a new recruit from Hornets.

A yellow card awarded against James Reid did not help Weston's cause, especially when Pettigrew was allowed to proceed to the posts two minutes later.

But when Pats' No 10 Adam Seager failed to find touch, Middlemiss fed Crichton 70 metres out, and the New Zealander's dazzling run took him to the line for an exceptional individual try.

Chris Young converted, and Weston were back in the mach but a totally unnecessary penalty was conceded in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Seager duly obliged to give the visitors a six point interval lead, an advantage which could have been prevented had Weston not lost three attacking line-outs.

Pointon's try then followed but Crichton was soon scoring his second after gathering Reid's accurate punt.

But more poor defending allowed Seager to convert his own try to take the score to 25-12 before Crichton completed his hat-trick following a splendid break by full-back Harry Warman.

Seager added his second penalty on 67 minutes and although Weston pressed hard for the remainder of the match, they were unable to penetrate the visitors' experienced defence.

The Seasiders will be meeting more large packs during this campaign and they may have to adjust their tactics accordingly but they will certainly want to arrest the flood of penalties which they are conceding to prevent the rest of this season becoming a rough ride.

Saturday's trip to Reading will be another tough test.

Weston-super-Mare: H Warman, C Crichton, TJ Madamombe, C Young, K Middlemiss, H Smith (D Doughty 50 mins), D Burge, E Hunt, A Richards, A Russell, D Cook, P Morrissey (M Denbee 20), G Sparks. Yellow card: Reid.