Sat 27 Feb 2010
National League 3 South West
Weston-super-Mare 26 Cleve 13
They scored four good tries to secure a rare bonus point to add to the four gained in their victory by three goals and a try to two tries and a penalty, and it was the hosts' midfield which had a major influence.
Defensively, Mackay, Sean Bennett and Dickson stopped everything that was thrown at them and Dickson capped another fine display by reaching 101 points in only eight matches.
Cleve held most of the territory in the first half and Harry Warman and particularly Kirk Middlemiss had to defend stoutly before Matt Spencer gave the visitors the lead with a penalty.
But 15 minutes later Weston were ahead when Mackay's break provided Warman with a try, his first of the season. Dickson converted for a four-point interval advantage and seven minutes into the second half, the New Zealander's flat pass sent Mackay hurtling in at the posts, Dickson converting again.
But Cleve were soon back in contention when Weston kicked straight into touch from outside their 22 and from the line-out, Dan Ajuwa reduced the arrears with a corner try.
From a scrum 10 metres from the visitors' line, Dickson powered his way over, his conversion taking him past his century; and victory became certain 10 minutes later.
Having been involved in a ruck on half way, Andrew Glen remained in the left wing position as Weston took play into the Cleve 22 and Dickson's precise cross-field punt was chased with pace by the second rower who touched down at the corner for a popular score.
Dickson's conversion attempt struck the right post and Cleve had the final word with Marcus Brooker's try in time added, but Weston had achieved their seventh league win from their last eight matches.
The Seasiders have a tough match on Saturday when they entertain Redingensians. They will have played Clevedon in the semi-final of the Somerset Cup on Wednesday and they will be hoping to field a full-strength squad in an attempt to reverse the heavy 40-22 defeat at Reading in November.
Weston: H Warman; K Middlemiss (N Trevana 60), S Bennett, J Mackay, P Sprague; G Dickson, J Conway; D Price, D Burge (S Donegan 42-52 blood), S Williams (S Donegan 69), A Richards, A Glen, E Smith (D Fry 65), G Wright, G Sparks (capt).
