Sat 23 Oct 2010
National League 3 South West
Old Patesians 43 Weston-super-Mare 35
WESTON’S second half reposte at Leckhampton was not quite enough to give them a victory, but a bonus point was no more than they deserved.
George Wright’s try with eight minutes remaining saw the Seasiders scenting a possible victory against second-placed Patesians, but they ran out of time.
The main problem was the defence in midfield, five of the hosts’ six tries emanating from that source. Their kicker, James Markey was also important in keeping their noses in front with six goals from seven attempts.
In the meantime, debutant Sam Saunders had opened Weston’s account with a penalty and Sparks had scored from a pushover. But the Pats had the final score of the half when Henry Bird went over at the left corner, Markey converting for a score of 29-8.
Things were now looking ominous for the visitors but Saunders kicked his second penalty which was followed by a 90-metre counter attack involving David Taylor, Sparks and Paul Sprague, resulting in an attacking line-out from which David Swann scored.
Markey then converted Chris Mellon’s try for 36-16, but back came the Weston pack for Sparks to crash over for his second try from a penalty scrum.
More splendid play by the pack produced a try for centre Saunders, and then for Wright, Saunders’ conversion bringing them closer to a second bonus point. But the final whistle arrived too soon.
Weston-super-Mare: J Waterman, K Middlemiss, S Saunders, S Bennett, P Sprague, D Taylor, J Conway, D Swann (D Price 59), D Burge, S Williams, A Richards, A Russell, A Glen (J Rudkin 71), G Wright, G Sparks (c).
Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: George Sparks (2), Dave Swann, Sam Saunders, George Wright; cons: Sam Saunders (2); pens: Sam Saunders (2)
