Fri 12 Sep 2025
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset South
Weston United 57 Bridgwater & Albion 2nds 21
Friday 12th September 2025, KO 19:45
Week two of the Season, and the United are at home to Bridgwater & Albion 2ndXV. The match has been switched due to some pitches not recovering from the summer weather and needing rain to return to form.
Before we go much further, I would like to say I have put myself in a position of grave mortal peril attending this evening, it also being our 27th Wedding Anniversary. I am hoping a portion of Benny's finest cheesy chips and a pasty will do the trick.
As for pitches finding some form, there is nothing wrong with Weston's ground at the Rec, but the United are searching for something after the bruising encounter with the recently demoted Wells RFC last week.
It is not all bad news, and having started well, the United managed to turn it on again in the dying minutes with the returning Matt James scoring a hat-trick.
It was James' senior debut, returning to the club from university after a break from playing since his time as a colt. James made his impression from the centre but started the game at seven and firmly identifies as a flanker.
James, now riddled with student debt, can be seen at the bar with fellow long-term sufferer of the financial chains of education, Dan Beer. Both happily accepting a pint. Whilst at university, both became firm pen pals and enjoyed a long-distance relationship discussing Renaissance art and the poetry of Coleridge.
We also welcomed Dom Hawkins to the United last week against Wells, making his senior debut. Dom has been through the youth system at Weston, starting as a Prop and was last season in the struggling Colts set-up. We are therefore really pleased that he has made the transition to senior rugby and, having hit the gym, has changed shape as well, now featuring in the back row. Dom enjoys puzzles in his spare time and was very pleased to complete a Thomas the Tank Engine puzzle in a little over a week, as it said 5 years on the box, boom boom.
Training Thursday night was energetic with all three of the clubs' senior sides present in numbers. The United enjoyed a short, sharp run through against the 1st XV and were looking well settled and business-like.
We welcome Keiran Hill at 10 for his Weston debut, and we are looking forward to what he has to offer. Keiran, in his downtime, enjoys the music of Sergei Rachmaninov and constructing North American dream catchers from Somerset willow.
This evening's game marks a milestone for Weston's very own Kung Fu Panda, Simon Po Hudson, who runs out for his 250th United cap. Well done, Simon, a marvellous achievement.
Finally, we see Rhodri Williams take charge of the United and look towards Rhodri to captain the team for the season and create continuity within the team. Rhodri, Royal Marine Colour Sargent, discovered the club last season when he brought his lads down to play. Introduced to senior rugby, he became a regular in the United and a firm favourite off the field, launching various disastrous assaults on bars in the town and early morning extraction from local roundabouts to complete the missions. Rhodri has played an active role in the preseason conditioning of the squad, supporting the lead coaching team.
The game is underway with a great crowd gathered, having enjoyed the Weston Roses v Hornets U12S. An excellent curtain raiser, well done ladies, Merv and Donny are coaching this age group.
An early assault from the Bridgwater side puts the United on the back foot, conceding a try beneath the posts for an easy conversion.
United 0-7 Bridgwater
Bridgwater maintained the pressure, but the United defended well before Matt James broke deep in the United half to go the length of the pitch, scoring a fine individual try; Hill missed the extras.
United 5- 7 Bridgwater
United gather for the restart and break from deep within their half. Hudson carries well, eager to be involved on his special day. James offers support and again pulls away with Tom Blyth in support, who finishes well beneath the uprights, and Hill collects extras.
United 12-7 Bridgwater
The game swings again, and Bridgwater takes control, scoring a second try under the posts, as the United's defence is poor.
United 12-14 Bridgwater
Weston rally, forwards linking with backs and Hill distributing well, and we see wing Ollie Marshall cross the whitewash in the far corner of the pitch. The conversion is a challenge.
United 17-14 Bridgwater
United are starting to gain some control, and Prop Charlie Owens is over the line, again out wide, challenging Hill, who collects the extras this time.
Half Time United 24-14 Bridgwater
The second half starts, and a driving line out from the United sees Owens in for a second on the touch line, Hill is accurate once more finding great form.
United 31-14 Bridgwater
Dom Hawkins is on from the bench and enjoys an early crunching charge. Way chips through, and Rhodri touches down for a Captain's try—no extras on this occasion.
United 36-14 Bridgwater
Hill makes way for the young Ollie Dadds. Unfortunately, this is the last we will see of Ollie as he's off to Leeds University tomorrow to turn his parents into paupers, dye his hair, and start voting Labour. Still, for now, he's making an immediate impact, and there's more to come from the United.
Blyth is good under the high ball, linking with Young, and Ky Pearce is under the posts. Dan Beer has taken the kicking duties and clears for the extras.
United 43-14 Bridgwater
Bridgwater enjoy a respite from the United attack and pull a try back.
United 43-21 Bridgwater
Father and son Donegan are now on the pitch, and this scrum is going nowhere. Huw Matthews replaces Dylan Way, who's enjoyed a fine return to the side.
Ollie Marshall is in for a second, United enjoy the platform from the forwards and the backs going through the moves. Beero is good with the extras.
United 50-21 Bridgwater
The game is all but over. A final attacking scrum has been secured, with good hands from Matthews, Dadds, and Chris Young on the scorecard. Beero is on the extras.
FULL TIME United 57-21 Bridgwater
A great start to the weekend for Weston-super-Mare RFC, enjoyed by a lively crowd. Thank you to Bridgwater for a competitive game and a great group of supporters. Good luck in the coming weeks, and we look forward to seeing you later in the season.
United, well done. This game was won by the effort you're putting into training, as well as the numbers and quality you're maintaining. Enjoy a beer and be back to support the 1st team and Athletic tomorrow.
The pleasure is all yours.
MonGoLikeRugby
