Weston-super-Mare 26 Barnstaple 21

In view of their league position, this was a must win match for Weston, and although they had to withstand a heavy bombardment at the end, they deservedly achieved success, together with a priceless bonus point for their four tries.

With injuries still on the agenda, coach David Healy had shuffled his midfield yet again with the return to the club of Matthew McQuaid and the shifting of Harry Warman to fly-half. Both players had a good hand in the victory.

Warman's conversion attempt was just wide, as was his earlier penalty attempt, so when the visitors were penalised inside their 22, acting skipper David Burge's option for the touchline proved to be a good decision. Andrew Richards' catch was driven and fellow lock Mike Kempton peeled away from the maul for his first try for the club.

Warman converted this time for a nine-point advantage, but before the break, Barnstaple had regained the lead with Berry's second penalty and his conversion of a try at the posts by Simon Watkins.

Weston started the second half poorly and a succession of wayward kicks cost them a try when Watkins took advantage of a fortuitous bounce to fasten on to a cross-field kick by Mark Galliford.

But the hosts kept going and on 70 minutes, Paul Sprague successfully interfered with the visitors' defence and Fry's pass out of the tackle sent Sparks on a 35-metre run to the line for the bonus point.

Warman converted and the score was now 26-18 with 10 minutes of normal time remaining, but Barnstaple were still much of a threat, and the home side was continuously under siege. But the defence held out until the fourth minute of time added when the Devonians had to be content with Berry's third penalty and their resultant bonus point.

This was a valuable victory for the Seasiders who are gradually escaping from the doldrums.

The midfield defence was much improved, Warman's switch to fly-half was a success, and Filer had another good match. The pack was slightly inconvenienced at the set scrums and line-out possession temporarily dried up early in the second half. But the rest was more than satisfactory with back rowers Fry and Sparks putting in splendid performances.

Weston-super-Mare: N Trevena; J Arnold, J Filer, M McQuaid, P Sprague; H Warman, J Mortimore (K Middlemiss 72); D Price, D Burge (capt), S Williams, A Richards, M Kempton, E Smith (A Glen 67), D Fry, G Sparks. Replacement not used: J Gallagher.

Match photos HERE