South West One

Weston-super-Mare 36 Maidenhead 8

An outstanding  performance by skipper David Burge's pack gave Weston the best possible start to the second half of the season at the Recreation Ground.

With pools of water lying all over the pitch, conditions underfoot determined the ensuing forwards battle, and in the final 40 minutes, Weston were the masters.

But things had started badly for the hosts. In the second minute Mark Armstrong's wayward cross-field kick was countered by visiting wing Diego Arends who easily put centre Jonny Hammond in at the right corner.

However, Armstrong was soon making amends with a 30 metre penalty and in the 15th minute, the Seasiders were ahead, George Sparks' catch and drive at a long line-out producing a try for Burge.

Weston were now looking good. Harry Warman sent Paul Sprague on a 50 metre run and David Cook was over but recalled for a forward pass, but Maidenhead were level at the break following Simon Swadling's penalty.

Weston's line-out started to wobble at the start of the second half but pressure was maintained. Kevin Hobbs was almost there after Sparks' break, TJ Madamombe knocked on following a similar foray by Warman but in the 50th minute, Tobias Gukibau put some daylight into the scoreline when he was driven over from a line-out.

Armstrong converted for a seven point advantage and during the next 20 minutes, Weston did everything but score.James Reid and Madamombe both went close and Sprague had a try disallowed before Weston got what they deserved with Sparks' pushover try.

Armstrong converted again and as the Maidenhead pack crumbled, good work by Luke Hember and Sparks gave Gukibau the chance to run in from 20 metres for his second try.

Armstrong's third conversion ensured a home victory but in the final minutes of normal time the visitors made a rare visit to Weston's front door and it took Burge's timely clearance to prevent a score.

However, in time added on Weston were back on the visitors' line and when their scrum caved in for the third time, referee Richard Steggall awarded a penalty try which Armstrong majorised.

In this well deserved success the superiority of Weston's front eight centred around a superb performance by lock Andrew Richards who displayed his undoubted skills with both ball in hand and his defensive ability around the fringes.

Weston will need more of the same on Sunday when Hornets visit the Rec for the Somerset Blackthorn Cup.

But they will be without their top scoring wing Chris Crichton who has sustained a broken arm and will be sidelined for several weeks.

Weston-super-Mare: H Warman, C Crichton (C Young 44), TJ Madamombe, J Reid, P Sprague, M Armstrong, L Hember, H Smith, D Burge (capt), T Gukibau, A Richards, A Russell, D Cook (A Ball 62), K Hobbs, G Sparks.