South West One

Weston-super-Mare 21 Clifton 28

COLTS' fly-half James Mackay made a more than promising debut for Weston, but it was not quite enough to prevent unbeaten Clifton from victory, scoring five tries to two. Mackay's contribution of 11 points, four goals from five attempts, kept the Seasiders in the match, but the visitors' backs won the day.

Their blitz defence stifled many a Weston move and their attacking flair produced all their tries. Weston led 10-0 after 15 minutes. Mackay opened his account with a 30-metre penalty, then his lofted punt had full-back Smee in trouble and when the ball was minored, the forwards created a push-over try for Dan Fry.

Mackay converted, but a minute later, the hosts lost possession and Barnaby Kent and Oliver Sillls made progress down the right to give supporting John Lewis the try. And within the next 15 minutes, Lewis touched down twice more to put Clifton in command, but just before the break, Ed Smith and Fry drove hard into Clifton territory and Mackay obliged again with a penalty to reduce the deficit to two points.

The Seasiders attacked with vigour at the start of the second half and after Fry had gained 50 metres from Clifton's re-start, Roger Drabble's foray to the narrow side gave a try to Chris Crichton. Weston were now three points to the good, but were let down when Harry Warman was sent to the bin by referee Adam Friend for back-chat and Clifton were level with Andy Bell's penalty.

The Seasiders have certainly done themselves no good during the last two matches with unauthorised dialogue with the official. Last week's conversation at Old Patesians cost seven points and this time it was eight as Sills ran 70 metres for Clifton's fourth try. With 12 minutes remaining, Mackay's third penalty again brought the hosts to within two points, and in sight of a possible success, but Sills' second try more or less secured the match.

The Seasiders tackled fiercely in the final minutes, but a wrong option and a couple of mis-placed passes enabled the visitors to hold on.This was a disappointing result for Weston, who have won only one match from four in South West 1.However, David Burge and his pack had another good afternoon, despite losing Ashley Russell with a head injury.

Last season's Colts captain David Price continues to progress in the front row and newcomers Mike Kempton, Fry, Craig Trump and Smith, and the return of Simon Williams are effective additions.They travel to league leaders Redigesians on Saturday and if Mackay and his mid-field can create a little more, all is not lost.

Weston-super-Mare: H Warman; C Crichton, B Main (R Bennett 34), J Reid, P Sprague; M Mackay, R Drabble; D Price, D Burge (capt), S Williams, M Kempton, A Russell (E Hunt 51), E Smith, C Trump, D Fry. Rep (not used): J Gallagher.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Dan Fry, Chris Crichton; con: James Mackay; pens: James Mackay (3); yellow card: H Warman.

Clifton scorers - tries: Chris Crichton, John Lewis (3), Oliver Sillls; pen: Andy Bell.

BEFORE the match, a minute's silence was observed in memory of Bert Haynes, a former chairman of the club who passed away last week.

WESTON captain David Burge made his 150th first-team appearance against Clifton. Weston-born Burge (28) was educated at Churchill School and started his rugby career when he joined the club's mini squad and an eight-year-old.He proceeded through the junior age groups to the Colts from where he played for the county.His senior debut was at North Walsham in April, 1999, as a replacement and his first start came a week later at Stroud. Burge, a land surveyor, is in his third season as skipper and has scored 29 tries.