EDF Energy Intermediate Cup

Paignton 26 Weston-super-Mare 20

IN VIEW of the Somerset Cup match on the following day, the Seasiders' team at Paignton consisted of only three first team players in the starting line-up.

Coach David Healy handed debuts to Colts lock Tom Walker and wing Steve Thompson together with the United's leading try scorer, 19-year-old James Arnold who came off the bench. In a squad which included no fewer than 13 former Colts and juniors, there was also a first start for Colts captain Eddie Saunders.

Paignton opened their account in the second minute with a penalty by Andy Sandercock but a drive by Walker four minutes later set up a penalty which Chris Young converted.

An attack by Kirk Midlemiss and Thompson looked promising but a brace of tries by the hosts, from Peter Mortimore and Jarryd Harris, the second converted by Sandercock took the score out to 15-3, but Weston quickly replied.

Good work by Middlemiss and Darren Doughty provided a corner try for Ben Main and just before the break a strong drive to the posts was harshly penalised by the Devon official.

Sandercock's second penalty arrived early in the second half and after Middlemiss had been forced to retire following a collision with Tom Main, Paignton's advantage was increased by James Beardsmore's try.

However, with six minutes of normal time remaining, Craig Trump's powerful 15 metre burst enabled Young to put Mark Armstrong over. Then a repeat performance by the outstanding Trump provided a try for replacement David Burge.

Young converted but Paignton had the final word with John Clare's drop goal. Weston will be disappointed with this result, but not the performance of their young players.

Thompson, Walker and Arnold all acquitted themselves well and will be pushing for regular first team rugby as will scrum-half Roger Drabble who put in a memorable effort.

Paignton scorers - tries: Peter Mortimore, Jarryd Harris, James Beardsmore; con: Andy Sandercock; pen: Andy Sandercock (2); dg: John Clare.

Weston-super-Mare: K Middlemiss (J Arnold 50), M Burns, C Young, B Main, S Thompson, M Armstrong (capt), R Drabble, D Doughty (D Burge 60), J Gallagher, N Lavender (D Price 50), M Kempton (A Russell 61), T Walker, E Saunders, C Trump (D Burge 54-59) (D Burge 60), T Main.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries:Ben Main, Mark Armstrong, David Burge; con: Chris Young; pen: Chris Young