National League 3 South West

Weston-super-Mare 6 pts Taunton 18 pts

FOR the first time this season, Weston failed to register a try as Taunton continued their winning run at the Recreation Ground.

A score of this nature looked increasingly unlikely, even before the match, the league leaders having conceded less than 100 points in their previous 10 matches.

The visitors' barn door defence was paramount, even in the first half when the Seasiders were given the advantage of the gale-force south westerly, and Weston did themselves no favours, playing for 30 minutes with 14 men as a result of three yellow cards.

Two penalties from James Mackay, the second a massive 50-metre effort gave them a six-point advantage, but after they had lost possession, Taunton opened their account with Samuel Saunders' straight penalty.

Mackay's 60-metre punt down the right preceded drives to the line by Simon Williams Neil Trevena, but a knock-on spoilt the effort.

Poor passing and a lost line-out, one of many, hindered any Weston progress and their injury jinx struck again when Williams was taken to hospital with a serious-looking knee injury.

Mackay's 35-metre penalty attempt in first-half stoppage time was wide and three minutes into the second half Taunton had the winning post in sight with Christian Gervais' try. Twenty minutes later, Gervais scored again, converted by Saunders to take the score to 15-6.

Saunders settled the issue with his second penalty to leave the Seasiders third from bottom of National 3 South.

Weston-super-Mare: H Warman; J Arnold, S Trimmel, M Armstrong, P Sprague; J Mackay, N Trevena; D Price, D Burge, S Williams (J Gallagher 43, sin bin 68), A Richards (sin bin 57), A Glen, G Simpson (sin bin 35), D Fry, G Sparks.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - pens: James Mackay (2)