South West One

Weston-super-Mare 16 Coney Hill 11

WESTON notched up their first league victory of the season when they defeated Coney Hill in an evenly fought match at the Rec.

A touch-down by last season's leading try scorer Chris Crichton in the 73rd minute finally gave the Seasiders the success they just about deserved, but it was still touch and go until the end.

Crichton's score came as a result of some splendid play by skipper David Burge who picked up a loose ball 35 metres out and his skilful cut-out pass found Chris Young who sent the winger in at the right corner.

Weston should have taken the lead in the fifth minute when Young intercepted near his 22, but the centre opted for the inside track with Matthew Burns free on the outside.

However, Young made ample amends later.

After David Price and newcomer Mike Kempton had gone close, Crichton's kick and chase gave Mark Armstrong the opportunity to kick a 26-metre penalty and Burge's pack created plenty of chances.

Crichton and Ed Smith were almost there and Burns was thwarted at the corner.

Paul Sprague was over but recalled for James Reid's forward pass and Dan Fry's strong run set up another penalty chance, but Armstrong's kick struck the left post.

The Seasiders were dealt a double blow when Armstrong and Fry were yellow carded and they did well to repel three Coney Hill attacks in front of their own posts.

But Crichton's sliced clearance fell into the hands of Nevaro Codlin who strode through to give his team a 5-3 interval lead.

Starting the second half with only 13 players, Weston conceded a penalty to Rory Baker, but this was cancelled out by Young with a well-struck effort.

Shortly afterwards, the hosts were denied another score when Burns' pass to Crichton was again adjudged forward, but they soon re-took the lead.

Armstrong's huge punt to the visitors' line forced Lewis Neal to run the ball into touch under Sprague's challenge and Ashley Russell barged over from the line-out.

But when Baker levelled matters with a 49-metre penalty the match was, once again, in the melting pot.

The Gloucestershire side were now in fifth gear and it took some important defending, notably by Reid, Young and Burns, now at full-back, to stem the tide.

And having survived, Burge and Young came good to set up Crichton's winning score.

Weston-super-Mare: Chris Crichton; Paul Sprague, Chris Young, James Reid, Matt Burns; Mark Armstrong, Ross Bennett; David Price, David Burge, Simon Williams, Mike Kempton, Stuart Board, Eddie Smith, Dan Fry, Ash Russell. Reps: James Gallagher, Roger Drabble, Ed Hunt.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Ash Russell, Chris Crichton; pens: Mark Armstrong, James Reid; yellow cards: Mark Armstrong (40 min), Dan Fry (42 min)

Coney Hill scorers - try: Nevard Codlin; pens: Rory Baker.