Seasiders remain in the relegation zone after defeat at Coney Hill as Richards makes his 150th first team appearance for Weston

Thu 20 Jan 2022 11:38

Sat 28 Nov 2009

Coney Hill RFC

23 - 13

Weston-super-Mare RFC

National League 3 South West

Coney Hill 23 Weston-super-Mare 13

WESTON have yet to record a victory away from home this season and this defeat in Gloucester keeps them in the relegation zone in National 3 South West.

In a match which revealed a slight improvement, particularly up front, the Seasiders created chances but their handling let them down at vital moments. But it was the advantage taken following yellow cards which cost them dear.

in the sixth minute, Coney Hill's John Flinter was dismissed following his late tackle on Dan Fry, but the visitors had only James Mackay's penalty as a reward. Whereas, when Fry was sent to the bin on the half hour for collapsing a maul, the hosts added 12 points to send them on their way to victory. Rory Baker brought the scores level with a penalty in the 22nd minute and as Weston were beginning to falter, two line-outs were lost.
Tries by Sam Felice and Paul Richards, the first converted by Baker, were quickly followed by Hill's third try by Colin Ballinger in first-half stoppage time.

This brought the score to 20-6, Mackay having kicked his second penalty, but Weston started the second half strongly. The hosts were fortunate not to have conceded a penalty from Mackay's grubber, but Mackay was soon converting his own try from his short chip and chase.

The visitors were now back in the match and David Burge's men were looking good for at least a bonus point, but careless handling and the loss of two more line-outs handed the advantage to Coney and Baker's second penalty arrived with 20 minutes remaining.

The introduction of Steve Donegan to the front row in the 57th minute allowed David Price to return to the loose head and the hosts' scrummage immediately became severely disadvantaged.

As Weston pressed home this bonus, Fry was recalled for a forward pass as he dived over at the posts, but their handling malaise continued to the end.

ANDREW Richards made his 150th first team appearance for Weston in their match at Coney Hill

Bristol-born Richards (26) was educated at Churchill School and whilst there, represented Somerset in the 16 to 18 age groups. He also played for South West Schools.

He started his club rugby at Yatton before moving to Bristol, earning three caps for England Under-19s.

He joined the Seasiders at the beginning of the 2002-3 season, making his senior debut as a replacement at North Walsham. His first start followed a week later at Blackheath in the Powergen Cup. Second row Richards has scored 16 tries.

Weston: H Warman; J Arnold, S Trimmell, K Middlemiss, P Sprague; J Mackay, N Trevenna; J Gallagher (S Donegan 57), B Burge (capt), D Price, A Richards, A Glen, E Smith, G Simpson (G Wright 43), D Fry. Replacement not used: J Filer.

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