South West One

Weston-super-Mare 32 Oxford Harlequins 21

FLY-HALF James Mackay produced 17 points and reached his century for the season as Weston finally overcame basement club Oxford Harlequins at the Recreation Ground.

The 18-year-old not only kept the Seasiders' scoreboard ticking over when things were not looking so good, but his 70th minute try which he converted himself gave the hosts a valuable nine point advantage when they needed it most.

Weston had taken an early lead with Ross Bennett's try following good work by Ashley Russell and skipper David Burge. Mackay converted but Oxford were ahead by the break.

Two penalties by Mark Forth and an unconverted try by Nick Sevier, to which Mackay replied with his first penalty, gave them a single point advantage which was soon stretched to six when Simon Chadbone crossed following some non existent defending.

But after being on the back foot for most of the first hour, Weston started to assert themselves.Bennett, who had a fine match, took advantage of a heel against the put-in to send Daryl Sanft to the line for his first try for the club.

Mackay's conversion attempt was off target but he made amends a few minutes later when he slotted a penalty to bring up his 100. He then scored a fine individual try to which he added the goal points and Weston were now in charge.

Oxford had always been dangerous in their midfield and at the breakdown, but with barely 10 minutes remaining, and two visiting players in the sinbin, the Seasiders ignored penalty kicks to the corner and ran themselves into trouble.

They paid dearly with Chadbone's second try which brought the visitors to within four points but Mackay's conversion of Kirk Middlemiss' corner try settled both the issue and coach David Healy's nerves.

Weston-super-Mare: Chris Crichton; Kirk Middlemiss, Daryl Sanft, Sean Bennett, Paul Sprague; James Mackay, Ross Bennett; David Price, David Burge, Darren Doughty, Mike Kempton, Simon Hudson, Eddie Smithj, Ash Russell, Dan Fry. Reps: Neil Lavender, Eddie Saunders, Josh Mortimore.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Ross Bennett, Darly Sanft, James Mackay, Kirk Middlemiss; cons: James Mackay (3); pens: James Mackay (2); yellow card: David Burge (18 min)

Oxford Harlequins scorers - tries: Simon Chadbone (2), N Sevier; pens: M Forth (2); yellow cards: Johan Ferreira (56 min), Adam Pearson (65 min).