Seasiders throw away advantage for second week running

Mon 24 Jan 2022 18:17

Sat 28 Sep 2013

Weston-super-Mare RFC

27 - 30

Brixham RFC

SSE National League 3 South West

Weston-super-Mare 27 Brixham 30

Report by Tony Russell

Stoppage time try sinks the Seasiders

WESTON were 17-6 ahead at the interval and would have expected to record a victory at the Recreation Ground with the wind in their favour in the second half.

But Brixham had other ideas and the match ended in a narrow defeat for the hosts.

Brixham attacked vigorously from the start and fly-half Ben Lovell’s penalty was just reward. Ten minutes later they almost added to their lead, but they were thwarted by the covering Matthew Watkins.

Full-back Harvey Skelton then went past several defenders in a 40-metre burst. He was stopped on the line, but Brixham offended at the subsequent scrum and James Mackay converted the penalty try.

Mackay and Lovell exchanged penalties, but in first-half time added, Weston ran from their own line with Skelton, Chris Young, Chris Webber and Andrew Glen all handling before hooker Craig Withers touched down. Mackay converted for that 17-6 scoreline.

But Brixham started to erode that advantage early in the second half with prop Russell Morris’ try converted by Lovell, who also added a penalty.

Mackay replied again with a similar score but when the hosts lost possession, Brixham’s left wing Matt Crosscombe finished off the turnover, Lovell converting again for a three-point advantage.

But Weston were in front again in the 73rd minute when Watkins covered 70 metres at speed and from that, centre Harry Jones was able to score wide out.

Mackay converted again for 27-23, but Brixham won the match in stoppage time with Crosscombe’s second try which was converted by scrum-half Andy Sandercock.

This was another disappointing performance by the Seasiders whose handling in the second half left a lot to be desired. Once again several scoring chances were wasted and things will have to improve for their visit to Chippenham on Saturday.

Weston-super-Mare: H Skelton, S Thompson, H Jones, S Smee, M Watkins, J Mackay, D Waldon, D Swann (c), C Withers, P Hobbs, A Russell, D Bufton, C Webber, P Morrissey, G Sparks. Replacements used: D Price, A Glen and C Young.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Craig Withers, Harry Jones, pen try; cons: James Mackay (3); pens: James Mackay (2)

Brixham scorers - tries: Russell Morris; Matt Crosscombe (2); cons: Ben Lovell (2), Andy Sandercock; pens: Ben Lovell (3)

More match photos courtesy of Andrew Collins

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