Sat 16 Jan 2010
NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 SOUTH WEST
Chippenham 10 Weston-super-Mare 24
WESTON'S new fly-half Glenn Dickson kicked four goals from five attempts to keep his team in the driving seat in this important victory at Chippenham.
Dickson not only kicked a penalty and converted all three Seasiders' tries, but gave his outside backs a confidence which had been lacking previously.
But none of this would have happened had not David Burge's pack been completely dominant, especially at set scrums. After 20 minutes the hosts' set piece was creaking and by the end it was totally wrecked.
Weston's front row was irresistible and in addition Gavin Simpson, operating at No 8, celebrated his return to the team with an outstanding performance.
The line-out too, was in fine fettle with Andrew Richards, Dan Fry and Ed Smith to the fore, but Chippenham had more than a few good moments which needed defending, and all the backs and back row were up to the task.
In the fourth minute Dickson's 47-metre penalty attempt dropped just short, but he was soon on target from 12 metres closer.
Chippenham then led briefly with a try by Ryan Surry, but Weston responded with James Arnold's 50-metre sprint and when home lock Adie Price was yellow carded, the visitors took full advantage with tries either side of the break.
Richards was first to score after the hosts had failed to handle a brace of scrums; t hen Fry did the same from a five-metre pushover to 17-5.
On 57 minutes David Price was sent to the sinbin and Chippenham retaliated with Jon Squire's try, but 15 minutes later Weston secured the points when Dickson's break allowed Harry Warman to give Paul Sprague a try at the left corner.
Dickson's touch-line conversion ended the scoring, but Weston had to endure a final 10 minutes of a second half during which the penalty ratio against them was 13:2.
This was probably the Seasiders' best performance of the season which gives them a deserved first away win, but they will need more of the same to raise them from the relegation zone when they receive Chinnor at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.
Weston: M Smith; J Arnold, H Warman, J Mackay, P Sprague; G Dickson, N Trevenna; D Price (sinbin 57) (S Donegan 57-67), D Burge (capt), S Williams (S Donegan 79), A Richards (sinbin 76), A Glen, E Smith (J Reid 79), D Fry (D Steele 79), G Simpson.
Match Photos
WESTON has affected a reorganisation on the playing side of the club since the departure of Dave Healy in December.
Paul Redman has assumed the mantle of head coach and he took charge for the first time in the match at Chippenham and will be pleased with the 24-10 victory.
For the remainder of this season Redman will be assisted by former coach Peter Sloman and former Weston and Bath centre Jonathan Bamsey will be responsible for the back division.
In other moves, two of the club's past players, Mark Philp and Phil Collins have taken leading roles.
Philp (48), who was the club's general manager 10 years ago, returns as chairman of rugby, and Collins (43), takes the First XV manager's position.
Collins replaces David Simpson who becomes operations manager as well as continuing with his current duties as fixtures secretary.
Weston have re-arranged their postponed matches in National 3 South West at Oxford Harlequins on February 6 and at the Recreation Ground against Cleve on the 27th.
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