EDF National Trophy Round One

Weston-super-Mare 23 pts Luton 7 pts

BY the end of this match, Weston could have been rueing the fact they had squandered several clear-cut chances during the first quarter, but as it was, they eventually proceeded into the second round of the EDF National Trophy, beating Luton, from National 3 South by a goal, two tries and two penalties to a goal under perfect conditions at the Recreation Ground.

During the opening 20 minutes, not only were two kickable penalties missed, but some poor passing, or not passing at all, kept Luton in the match, and when the visitors brought the score back to 13-7 just after the interval, the Seasiders looked vulnerable.

But a yellow card against Luton centre Scott Hills did Weston a favour and they were able to finish strongly.

After the early wrong options, and the loss of flanker Gavin Simpson with a knee injury, full-back Harry Warman and wing Matthew Burns shredded the visitors' defence to produce a penalty for Chris Young and 10 minutes later a well-driven 10-metre scrum gave the Weston centre the chance to touch down at the right corner.

It was unfortunate for Luton that their kicker Shaun Crowley struck a post with a penalty attempt from barely 15 metres and a minute later, Weston scored crucially to go into the interval with a 13-point advantage.

Fly-half James Reid's accurate crossfield kick found the safe hands of wing Chris Crichton who easily rounded Ben Brown for an unconverted try.

The Seasiders are now making a habit of starting their second half poorly and this was no exception.

Skipper Scott Walker was the beneficiary as the hosts' defence went missing, Crowley converting and when Weston had a period of aimless kicking, there were fears for their safety.

However, with the final quarter approaching, Hills was sin-binned and Weston started to turn the tables.Young again missed the resultant penalty and Ashley Russell just failed to score after supporting Burns' dart down the left flank.

But Weston kept pressure on and when Luton took down a maul, Young kicked his second penalty.

The visitors now required two scores for victory and as they chased the game, their passing broke down, and Crichton intervened for his second try of the match, and his eighth in six appearances, and Young converted.

Weston: H Warman; C Crichton, T J Madamombe, C Young, M Burns (K Middlemiss 75); J Reid (B Main 65), L Hember; H Smith, D Burge (J Fillingham 75), E Hunt (T Gukibau 53), A Richards, A Russell, D Cook (W Tuitupou 65), G Simpson (A Ball 6), G Sparks

In the next round, to be played on November 17 (2.30pm), they have been drawn away to Worthing.