South West One

Cleve 28 Weston-super-Mare 35

An outstanding display by skipper David Burge's pack, backed up by fly-half Mark Armstrong's astute tactical kicking, gave Weston a well-deserved victory at Mangotsfield.

The Seasiders' back row of Kevin Hobbs, Tom Gilmour and No 8 Tom Main enjoyed a particularly good afternoon, completely eclipsing their opposite with Hobbs and Gilmour scoring crucial first-half tries and Main, who made a first start, providing good possession at the line-out in addition to his excellent work around the field.

The hosts were ahead after only five minutes when Matt Spencer converted a corner try by Nathan Huntley.

As Cleve attacked again, Tom Main's important 40-metre clearance was closely followed by Ben Main's kick ahead which was fumbled by Luke Fletcher for Armstrong to convert the resultant penalty; but Cleve went to 14-3 with Andrew Edwards' try converted by Spencer, after Andrew Richards had been yellow carded.

But another error by the home defence allowed Gilmour to touch down and Luke Hember's crossfield kick to the corner kept pressure on. T J Madamombe and William Tuitupou went close before Hobbs took a quick tap-penalty to crash over in the fourth minute of first-half added time.

Armstrong converted both scores, Weston had taken the lead they were never to lose, and before the second half was a minute old, they went further ahead.

Another Hember kick to Cleve's in-goal area bounced favourably for Tuitupou to take full advantage and Armstrong's second penalty meant Weston were now 11 points to the good.

Cleve responded strongly and Paul Sprague's cover tackle saved a certain try, but they persisted and the score was brought back to 25-21 with Spencer's conversion of Steve Hunt's try.

But Weston then produced the try of the match to send them on their way to victory. Burge fielded an attempted clearance to feed Gilmour who sliced through the defence on a 25-metre run.

The New Zealander fed Tobias Gukibau in support for Burge to finish off the move which he started with a try at the posts.

Armstrong again converted and after Cleve's final throw with Spencer's conversion of his own try, Weston's number 10 continued with his accurate kicking to the corners and added his third penalty for a personal haul of 15 points.

The Seasiders are now back up to third place in South West 1 which they will be looking to maintain on Saturday with their first visit to Redingensians

Weston-super-Mare: H Warman; M Burns, T J Madamombe, B Main, P Sprague; M Armstrong, L Hember; T Gukibau, M Burge (capt), E Hunt, A Richards (sinbin 30), T Gilmour, K Hobbs, T Main. Replacements (not used): D Doughty, J Fillingham, C Young