TRIBUTE SOUTH WEST PREMIER 

Weston-super-Mare 19 Bracknell 15

TWO of Weston's young brigade, half-backs Ross Bennett and James Mckay were major influences in this narrow, but hard fought 19-15 victory over high-flying Bracknell at the Recreation Ground.

Both scored tries with Mckay adding a brace of conversions during a splendid first-half performance.

The Seasiders were 14-2 ahead at the break, and within a minute of the start of the second half had increased their advantage to 16 points with Chris Crichton's try.

The hosts started in fine style and were unlucky not to be adhead straight away. Bennett's chip down the line spelt danger for the visitors and two minutes later, he just failed to gather his own kick with the line at his mercy.

Breaks by Crichton and George Britton kept Bracknell's defence on full alert, but the visitors went in front on the half hour with skipper Ben Nowak's penalty.But Weston finished the half strongly, scoring two tries in as many minutes.

Following good work by Eddie Smith and Craig Trump, Daniel Fry's powerful burst was supported by Bennett who easily beat David Budge to touch down.

Then Budge was in difficulty again when attempting to deal with Bennett's lifted punt and up came Mckay to spring 45 metres to the posts for his first senior try.

Mackay's conversions put Weston in charge at the break and the second half was barely a minute old when the 18-year-old kicked delightfully to the right corner for Crichton to score.

But the remainder of the match was far from comfortable. Three yellow cards meant the hosts were severely depleted for 30 minutes.

Mike Kempton was the first, shortly after which Bracknell's Daniel Daffyd exploited the narrow side to dive over, and four minutes later the visitors were back in the match with Nick Maybury's try which Nowak converted!

It was Josef Harris' turn to visit the sin bin as Bracknell piled on pressure, but Weston's defence came into its own. Mark Armstrong and Britton, together with Bennett and Mackay put in important tackles, especially after Harry Warman became the third Weston player to be yellow carded.

However, the Seasiders' front row of David Price, skipper David Burge and Simon Williams saw to it that the scrum held out during seven minutes of stoppage time for only the second victory over Bracknell in nine attempts.

Hopefully, this win has put Weston's season back on track, but coach David Healy will be concerned that he is running out of lock forwards.

Stuart Board has still not recovered from rib injuries sustained against Coney Hill and Ashley Russell's fractured cheek bone will sideline him for another three weeks.

Then on Saturday, New Zealander Josef Harris suffered a suspected broken arm.

Weston-super-Mare: Harry Warman; Chris Crichton, George Britton, Mark Armstrong, Paul Sprague; James Mackay, Ross Bennett; David Price, David Burge, Simon Williams, Mike Kempton, Josef Harris, Eddie Smith, Craig Trump, Dan Fry. Reps: James Gallagher, Neil Lavender, James Reid.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Ross Bennett, James Mackay, Chris Crichton; cons: James Mackay (2); yellow cards: Mike Kempton (45 min), Josef Harris (56 min), Harry Warman (70 min).

Bracknell: David Budge; Nicholas Shears, Oliver Jones, Ben Nowak, Stuart Mackay; Jervis Manupenu, Dan Ap-daffyd; Jonathan Miraz, Joe Shelton, Andy Van Zyl, Kenny Barry, Json Borcherds, Nick Maybury, Carl Cimpoias, Kair Blankley. Reps: Chris Sheasby, Tom Muggridge, Peter Hill.

Bracknell scorers - tries: Dan Ap-daffyd, Kai Blankley; con: Ben Nowak; pen: Ben Nowak; yellow card: Kenny Barry (11 min).

Match Photos