Report by Mark Matthews

The Athletic travelled to Castle Cary for this top of the table clash in a buoyant mood, with the winning team becoming league champions and securing promotion. Weston and Castle Cary sit at the top of Somerset Three South with Castle Cary a game in hand, Weston only in front on points difference. Winning today was imperative for both sides to win promotion and progress to Somerset Two.

With all three senior Weston sides playing on Saturday the Athletic produced a quality team with veterans and younger colts alike fronting up on the pitch. The team's combined experience being reflected in a record breaking 1983 first team caps, although no player remains a current first team contender. This in itself being a further endorsement of the club's terrific atmosphere with players remaining keen to be associated and wear the badge with pride. In glorious weather conditions in front of a large local partisan crowd Weston took to the field.

Weston were to lose the toss but benefitted from a poor decision from the Castle Cary side to play down the field in the first half. Playing into the wind up the pitch Weston started with a deftly placed kick from Richardson and the forwards hit the game running. They were met by powerful resistance from the Castle Cary side and the first 20 minutes was a war of attrition with big tackles from both sides.

Weston battled through the forwards and with elusive running from their backs were at a Cary line out 5m from the try line. Cary secured the ball, but an ill judged pass from their scrum half gave Simpson at number 8 a fantastic interception to go through and score the first try, 5-0 to the Athletic.

The next 15-20 minutes were all Cary as they came down the hill strongly at Weston and continuing pressure saw the score equalised, Cary unlucky to claim the extras. Weston lost Richardson to injury to see Hannam come into the centres. The Athletic returned to the game with continued pressure but Cary, with great running from their backs were able to cross and take a 10-5 lead as it moved into the second quarter of the game.

Down clattered through, knocking Castle Cary players like skittles to equalise at 10 all following a period of sustained forward pressure. With half time approaching the Athletic continued to add pressure but were playing the ball in their own half until Arnold took a masterful interception to scamper away three quarters of the length of the pitch and score under the posts for Weston to go in at 17-10, Coleman collecting the extras.

The second half started with the downhill advantage to the Athletic with the wind also in their favour. Continued pressure resulted in a cross field kick excellently collected by Arnold to go in for his second try and bring the score up to 22-10. Castle Cary were not done and continued to compete strongly however late substitute Wheatley collected the ball and barrelled through to score and lift the game out of reach of Cary, 27-10.

In the dying moments of the game, Coleman slotted a final penalty to close the score at 30-10. Congratulations to Grahame Hill for leading from the front this season, to Wheatley for a 100% record and Hudson running the line with injury keeping him out of the team. Team manager Wally Bingham is also recognised for his unstinting pressure and contribution bringing a team together each week.

C Larkin, P Whatley (J Gibson 55 mins), J Arnold, D Steele, M White, J Richardson (D Hanam 20 mins), N Coleman, G Simpson (C Darleston 55 mins), A Larkin (N Stamp 65 mins), J Matthews ( A Moig 45 mins), A Fisher (A Glen 65 mins), M Down (D Wheatley 75 mins), M Matthews (T Bush 60 mins), G Hill (Capt), M Philp (H Hunt 65 Mins)