Sat 26 Sep 2026, 15:00
Regional 1 Tribute Ale South West
Weston-super-Mare 38 Newent 10
Weston-super-Mare, having been promoted as unbeaten Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West champions, finally got their new season underway by taking maximum league points, writes Chris Heath
This was the first league meeting between the two sides since January 2017, with Gloucestershire side Newent having been given a sideways move from Regional 2 Midlands, where they finished a creditable fourth last season.
On a fantastic late-September afternoon, it would be interesting to see how the hosts cope at this higher level after a two-season sabbatical in the Regional 2 leagues.
Weston kicked off playing towards the Rec and immediately earned a scrum penalty. From the ensuing lineout, the forwards drove and centre Huw Morgan, back at the club after a couple of seasons, was on hand to power over the line.
Fly-half George Nuttycombe provided the extras. Weston then claimed another scrum penalty, but this time nothing came from the lineout. Newent got their own penalty, which was dispatched to the line.
Weston's lineout was not functioning as well as it might, meaning good possession was wasted. Newent nearly scored but for a knock-on after taking a quick tap, and the hosts breathed a sigh of relief.
A great break by Weston’s openside flanker Jacob Cox put left wing Stuart Souch away on a jinking run which ended just before the try line when the ball was dislodged.
With a quarter of an hour gone, both sides were threatening and defending in equal measure. Nuttycombe was then yellow-carded for a high tackle, but hesitation by the Newent hooker Matt Boundy led to a Weston free kick to clear their lines.
Great work by the two wingers Keanu Ballard and Souch held Newent at bay, but they then saw their scrum-half, Blake Boyland, yellow-carded for foul play. Both Weston half-backs were in the sin bin at the same time, which wasn't particularly helpful!
Nuttycombe returned soon after, but the penalties were making it very hard work. Weston did, however, have another chance when the ball was excellently worked to Ballard on his wrong wing, but again the visitors' defence held.
A superb catch-and-drive from a penalty line-out led to flanker Bradley Hebbard dabbing down to increase the hosts’ lead with five minutes to half-time. Newent threatened again but the hosts’ defence held until the break.
Newent were awarded a penalty at the start of the second period but missed the kick. Soon afterwards, Weston captain Tom Sugg was yellow-carded for another high tackle, and once again the hosts’ excellent defence was called upon.
However, despite their dominance, a try was almost inevitable as Weston fell afoul of the referee once too often, and a chip over the top led to the Newent flanker crossing for an unconverted try.
This cut Weston’s lead to seven points but the home side attacked from the restart, and after good work by the backs and a well-drilled line-out, Boyland jinked his way over for a try converted by Nuttycombe.
Almost immediately afterwards, a superb kick ahead by Nuttycombe led to Souch speeding away to score under the sticks, making the fly-half's job easy to add the two points.
Weston were now somewhat bossing the game, and after claiming a penalty following another super scrum, the line-out produced some superb sleight of hand before Cox offloaded to front row Gary Carpenter to dab down in the corner.
The conversion was exceptional from Nuttycombe. Weston lost new replacement prop Jason Rowland's to an eye injury, but the interchanging of the replacements had no adverse effect on the hosts’ performance.
Late on, replacement scrum half Dax Blyth came on for his debut, and after Souch kicked through and was illegally impeded, the referee finally gave Newent their first yellow card of the match, with wing Finlay Mellis sent to the sidelines.
It didn't matter, though, as hooker Tom Hatch crossed to put Weston out of sight with his side’s sixth try. Newent scored a late unconverted consolation try, but Weston ran out worthy winners.
It was a victorious afternoon for the club’s three senior sides with Weston United winning 33-29 away to Bridgwater & Albion 2ndXV and Weston Athletic were 32-24 home winners over Crewkerne.
Next Saturday (October 3), Weston 1stXV are away to Sidmouth, kick-off 2.30 pm; Weston United host Chard 2ndXV, kick-off 3 pm, while Weston Athletic are away to Wincanton, kick-off 2.30 pm.
