National League 3 South West

Newton Abbot 5 pts Weston-super-Mare 13 pts

Weston-super-Mare's season is back on track with this hard-fought effort at Rackerhayes.

The match was won 24 minutes into the second half with a stunning try by Matthew Watkins.

From a scrum near halfway, skipper George Sparks made 30 metres down the right and quickly recycled possession created a break by James Mackay, and with little room, Watkins’ pace took him to the left corner.

It was the wing’s 10th try of the season and it was complemented by Mackay’s successful conversion from the touchline.

However, Mackay stepped up again with another 40 metre penalty and the visitors held a single point advantage at the interval.

The hosts had failed with a brace of penalty attempts during the first half and they missed another easy chance from barely 25 metres as Weston defended stoutly.

Then came Watkins’ try with Mackay’s conversion leaving the All Whites requiring two scores to win. But this was never going to happen.

The Seasiders’ defensive arrangement was as solid as Steep Holm and although the hosts had enough possession, they found their visitors’ front door firmly shut.

Newton Abbot were awarded a penalty in stoppage time and decided to go for a losing bonus point, but Josh Smith’s attempt from 27 metres was well wide to complete a miserable afternoon for their kickers.

Weston-super-Mare: C Hurd; P Sprague, G Kimmins, J Mackay, M Watkins; M Roberts, R Bennett (sinbin 82); M Truscott (M Matthews 69), D Burge, S Donegan, H Somers (sinbin 14), A Russell, J Rudkin (G Simpson 75), R Bignell, G Sparks (capt).

Weston-super-Mare scorers - try: Mal Watkins; con: James Mackay; pens: James Mackay (2)

Match photos here