SOUTH WEST 1 

WESTON 19 pts BRACKNELL 23 pts

BACK in October, Weston lost 38-0 at Bracknell, and with the visitors leading by 15 points at the interval, another heavy defeat was on the cards.

But the second half was a different story as the Seasiders rallied and in the end were somewhat unlucky to concede the double.

Bracknell's early pressure was rewarded with Kenneth Barry's try, converted by Ben Nowak, but then, Weston almost crossed twice.

George Sparks' line-out catch and Tobias Gukibau's drive was halted when Kevin Hobbs was stopped at the posts.

A couple of minutes later, a mistake by visiting full-back Jaco Steensberg let in T J Madamombe, but the centre knocked-on with the line at his mercy.

Nowak's penalty followed and in first-half stoppage time, David Budge was allowed in at the corner.

But Weston responded within a minute of the second period.

Good work by David Steele and an overhead pass by Sparks, saw lock Andrew Ball donate the easiest of touchdowns to Paul Sprague.

Mark Armstrong's conversion attempt struck the far post.

A massive 25-metre drive by Bracknell's pack resulted in Rudal Aiono's try, taking the score to 20-5, but Weston were soon back in the match.

A tap penalty saw replacement Tom Gilmour make considerable ground before giving Ball his first try for the club.

Harry Warman, who had taken over at fly-half for the injured Armstrong, converted, and with 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Weston got within a point.

Indecision in Bracknell's midfield donated an interception try to Sparks and when Warman converted again, the Seasiders were in sight of the winning post, despite Nowak's second penalty.

But the league leaders held out against Weston's final assault.

Weston: H Warman; M Burns, T J Madamombe (sinbin 34), D Steele, P Sprague; M Armstrong (R Drabble 55), L Hember; H Smith (E Hunt 41), D Burge (captain), T Gukibau, A Richards (sinbin 70), A Ball, W Tuitupou, K Hobbs (T Gilmour 52), G Sparks