Sat 10 Sep 2011
National League 3 South West
Weston-super-Mare 10 Newton Abbot 25
Nothing much went right for Weston as they were defeated by three tries to one against Newton Abbot, who were full value for their success.
By the interval, the Devonians were 13 points in front despite facing a stiff wind.
But the Seasiders had started well with Ross Bennett and Chris Young almost putting George Wright in at the right corner. Then Jon Gallagher and Jamie Rudkin made inroads, but James Mackay’s penalty attempt flew wide.
In fact, Mackay had left his kicking boots at Newbury and he was to miss two further shots at goal during the first half.
In the meantime, the All-Whites had taken the lead in the 16th minute when fly-half Scott Meakin’s crossfield kick found wing Jan Viscofer in the in-goal area. Josh Smith converted from the touchline and the full-back added two penalties for an interval score of 0-13.
Mackay’s huge kick at the start of the second half gave him the chance to reduce the deficit with a straight penalty, then, as the rain came, Smith was converting his own try after chasing a speculative kick.
By this time Weston were heading for defeat but they fought back when Malcolm Roberts ran a quickly taken penalty from inside his own 22 and the centre sent Matt Watkins sprinting 70 metres down the left touchline for a spectacular score, Mackay converted, but with two minutes remaining visiting lock Brett Stroud’s try put the match beyond doubt.
In any event things will have to improve because little headway was made last week, despite a penalty count of 16-10 in their favour.
