National League 3 South West

Newbury Blues 6 Weston-super-Mare 34

WESTON started their National 3 South West campaign in fine style with this emphatic victory at Monk’s Lane.

The last time that the Seasiders were there, back in April 1997 they were beaten 54-13, but Saturday was an entirely different story.

The Weston scrimmage was dominant from the start and as things got even better, three tries were scored during the final quarter.

James Mackay gave his team the lead in the fifth minute with a 40 metre penalty. Home fly-half Oscar Matthews levelled matters 12 minutes later, but in the 23rd minute, Weston took the lead that they were never to lose.

Matthew Watkins, a new signing from Nailsea and Backwell, had earlier shown his pace and it was the left wing who sprinted to the corner for the opening try.

Mackay converted from the touchline but Weston had already thwarted Newbury’s efforts with some important defending and went to the interval leading by 10-3.

Centre Andrew Evans was over in the third minute of the second half but the try was disallowed and Matthews reduced Newbury’s deficit with a straight penalty.

However, Mackay replied in kind, and after seven phases, George Wright found enough room to dive over at the right corner. Mackay again converted superbly and this opened the floodgates.

By now Georges Sparks’ pack was completely dominant and a splendid break by full-back Chris Young gave Evans his first try for the club.

Mackay’s conversion followed and as the match drew to a close, Newbury’s attempted clearance fell into the hands of Ross Bennett and Sparks was able to give Wright the chance to run past several defenders for a bonus point try at the posts.

Mackay converted to give the fly-half a 100 per cent kicking return of 14 points.

This was a competent performance by the Seasiders whose new recruits, Watkins, Combined Services centres Evans and Mal Roberts and hooker Glen Cooper, all played their parts. But it has to be said that Newbury were not the side they used to be, having suffered three successive relegations.

There will be more difficult days to come, starting on Saturday with the visit of Newton Abbot who defeated Old Patesians by 15-5 last week.

Weston-super-Mare: Chris Young; George Wright, Mal Roberts, Andy Evans, Matt Watkins; Jame Mackay, Ross Bennett (James Reid 79); David Swann, Glenn Cooper (Craig Withers 72), Steve Donegan, Andy Glen, George Sparks (capt) (Stuart Board 79), James Rudkin, Kevin Hobbs, Gavin Simpson.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Matt Watkins, George Wright (2), Andy Evans; cons: James Mackay (4); pens: James Mackay (2)