WESTON 24 pts MALVERN 3 pts

WESTON duly completed the double over Malvern to chalk up their 16th league success of the season.

Despite the arctic conditions at the Recreation Ground, the Seasiders put together a good performance, scoring four tries without reply.

The visitors were very much in the match for several periods, but once again, Weston’s defensive organisation came out on top.

The match started unfortunately for leading try scorer James Arnold who sustained a back injury during the warm-up and he was replaced on the left wing by Harry Jones after only five minutes.

But five minutes later the host went ahead when prop Dave Swann scored a try from short range.

The easterly wind was tricky and James Mackay’s conversion attempt was just wide and four minutes later, visiting fly-half Adam Dixon failed from just 15 metres.

The Seasiders had to defend stoutly during the third quarter and Matthew Watkins made one particularly important tackle, but they were soon on their way to victory.

A 20-metre run down the right touchline by flanker Paul Morrissey was stopped close to the line, but the visitors were unable to escape.

Under extreme pressure they offended at three successive scrums and referee Dan Mobley had no option in awarding Weston a penalty try.

Mackay converted for 19-3 and by now the hosts’ scrum was in overdrive and within eight minutes of normal time remaining it was Ashley Russell who put the match to bed with his third try of the season.

Weston: R Bennett, M Watkins, S Smee, S Edwards, J Arnold (H Jones 5), J Mackay, D Waldon, P Hobbs (S Donegan 24), D Burge (c), D Swann (P Hobbs h/t), H Somers (A Glen 48), A Russell (H Somers 73), S Eaton, P Morrissey, G Sparks.