Athletic were happy to give Ross Bennett a run out after a break of a few weeks and were also happy to have a welcome guest at 10 in Filer back for the day due to a break in cheese harvesting duties.

Revenge for an early season drubbing at Gordano was on everyone’s mind, and if that were not reason enough to play well then the celebration of Darran Wheatley’s 100th Athletic appearance made do or die a no-brainer. Happily Tom was able to join his Dad in the front row, and the cry of come on Dad was heard loud and clear from the pitch on several occasions.

After a couple of very dodgy kicks from Filer he began to find his range and put Gordano under pressure, but not before they had opened their account after 7 minutes with a converted try. However Weston didn’t panic and after good work from the forwards which earned quick ball Jo McGrath was put away on 17 minutes.

He still had plenty of work to do with what seemed to be ample Gordano cover but he showed good speed and strength and carried just over the line to open Weston’s account. The extras went begging but further good work gave Filer an opportunity of showing some individual flair and he crossed for Weston’s second try under the posts on 20 minutes.

He converted his own try and Weston looked well positioned at 12 – 7 after the first quarter.

Weston kept up the pressure and following a penalty kick to touch and several drives by the forwards from the lineout Craddock bullied his way over from close range, and although the conversion was missed Weston looked in control at 17 – 7.

Gordano still had plenty to offer and their inside centre looked particularly sharp gog lose several times before their forwards produced a try scoring drive. Their conversion attempt was good but their over-all discipline poor and Weston forced a penalty after the restart which Filer converted to end the first half with Weston looking favourites at 20 – 14 ahead.

Weston made just two changes at half time in the front row bringing on Will Hunt at tight head and James Disney, back from military duties at loose head. From the restart Weston forced a handling error took possession and forwards and backs combined at speed to get close to the line.

Several phases of quick possession and energetic drives at the line saw Hudson cross for an unconverted try. Sadly Chad Smit who had been having a great game sustained a nasty facial injury which required a trip to the hospital and five stitches just below the eyebrow.

He was replaced by erstwhile hooker Lewis Hancock who looked immediately at home in the back row, certainly preferring it to scrum half!!

Pretty much against the run of play Gordano struck back with an unconverted try but this was as close as they were to get as Weston defended stoutly and frequently broke out of defence and attacking up the middle and also out wide where Hannam had a couple of good runs but was keenly marked by the Gordano back three.

Following further good pressure from a line out in the Gordano 22 Craddock forced his way over for his second try. Gordano’s defence was under significant pressure and on the hour Dave Steele who had been a thorn in Gordano’s side all match finished off a great move with a powerful individual run and a try just to the right of the posts.

The conversion was made and there were no further scores. Athletic took advantage of their 18 point lead to make a number of substitutions and gave 10 minutes game time to Redman, Sparks, Frost, Wride and Chapman.

Gordano were very upset by the number of replacements but should look to the scorecard and the pattern of the match which they arguably lost in the first half, but were in any event well adrift before Weston brought on their third sub.

This seventh win puts the Athletic in fifth place in Somerset 2 North.

There are just nine games left this season and with five of those games being at home the Athletic are confident of keeping their place in this league and can realistically hope to finish in perhaps fourth place.

This will depend on players being available and putting in the sort of determined and disciplined effort watched by the Athletic’s biggest audience of the season