South West 1

WESTON 55 pts CLEVE 13 pts

AFTER their 38-nil trouncing at Bracknell, the most optimistic Weston supporter could not have expected a complete turnaround against third-placed Cleve.

But that is precisely what happened at the Recreation Ground as the visitors were on the end of a nine-try onslaught.

The Seasiders' chief destroyer was their high-scoring wing Chris Crichton, who scored one try in the first half and a hat-trick in the second, but this was far from a one-man show.

The visitors' scrum was severely inconvenienced with props Hallam Smith and Tobias Gukibau instigating the damage, and at the line-out Cleve fared little better with the crooked throwing and Ashley Russell's stealing.

Russell's catch-and-drive produced a try for David Burge which sent Weston on their way, but Cleve could have taken the lead but for poor handling and two missed penalties, the first from barely 15 metres.

As it was, the hosts increased their advantage on 20 minutes when good work by Mark Armstrong, Ben Main and Harry Warman sent left wing Matthew Burns in at the corner.

Two minutes later Crichton scored the first of his tries following David Cook's charge, Armstrong converting and Cook was next on the scoresheet when he supported Luke Hember's 25-metre burst down the left touchline.

This took the score to 22-nil, but during the remaining five minutes before the break, Weston relaxed and Cleve took full advantage with Scott Simmons' penalty and a try by Oliver Goss, but Weston were soon back on song.

Burge fastened on to Main's re-start and within a minute of the second half, Gukibau was driven over for his first try for the club.Armstrong converted again and he soon added the points to Crichton's second try when the New Zealander intervened in a Cleve back move to run 50 metres to the posts.

Cleve brought the score back to 36-13 with Sam Roach's try, but Andrew Richards replied in kind, following more skill by Russell at a five-metre line-out.

By this time the visitors were spent and Crichton completed the coup de grace with two more scores, the first with assistance by Warman and the second from replacement scrum-half Roger Drabble.

This was an exceptional performance by the Seasiders.

The return of player-coach Armstrong at fly-half after a six-week injury break made a big difference to the back line.

Ben Main, in his first competitive start at No 12, continues to progress and then there is Crichton who has now scored a dozen tries in eight matches.

After the game, club coach Pete Sloman said: "After last week's disappointing result at Bracknell, to score nine tries against a team who had previously only lost once, and had conceded only 64 points in those six games, was a terrific response.

"The forwards laid an excellent platform, and dominated the rucks and mauls. We know we possess the pace to cause anyone in the league problems, but you have to do the hard work first.

"The players should take a lot of confidence from the performance. With the second team, which contained 10 under-21 players, also winning well at Cleve, today was a great day for the club."

Weston: H Warman; C Crichton, T J Madamombe, B Main, M Burns; M Armstrong (sinbin 42), L Hember (R Drabble 64); H Smith, D Burge (capt), T Gukibau (N Lavender 61), A Richards, A Russell, D Cook, P Morrissey (sinbin 58) (W Tuitupou 67), G Sparks