Relief at last for Weston. This was their first home game since December 7th during which time there has been a run of away defeats which has seen the team dropping down the table. 

The home team was first on the board when after 10 minutes, following concerted forward pressure on the Chippenham line, second row Dave Bufton was driven over for James Mackay to convert.

The lead was swiftly reduced as visiting centre Jon Squire scored a simple try in the corner, having been given much too much space. The conversion was beyond Same Saunders but he did manage a straight forward penalty after 36 minutes to edge his side ahead 8-7.

In the interim period, Weston lost key lineout forward Ash Russell to a pectoral strain as his unlucky season took another turn, to be replaced by prop forward Steve Donegan but the home pack continued to dominate as Chippenham struggled in the set pieces.

A kickable opportunity ten metres from the posts was spurned in favour of a set scrum which resulted in the easiest of touchdowns for No.8 George Sparks as the Wiltshire pack found reverse gear. Mackay converted for a 14-8 half time lead.

Further misfortune struck as the game restarted. Within one minute, talismanic Sparks had also left the field with a back problem to be replaced by hooker David Burge in his first appearance for a long time.

Westons’ pack, now with five front row forwards, unsurprisingly continued to dominate their opponents at scrum time, although the general mobility had obviously suffered and lines-out became difficult, but Paul Morrissey and newcomer Ben Cox put in committed performances, stopping many forays.

Mackay increased the lead with a penalty after 51 minutes to take him to 150 points for the season.

Further bad luck then befell Weston as Chippenham decreed that they had run out of front row cover and the dreaded uncontested scrums were invoked…..just what a team with five front row forwards that is bullying its’ opposition at the set piece wants to see!!!

Fortunately the home side responded with a long distance try after 55 minutes. Following interpassing amongst the pack, hooker Craig Withers took route one, scatterd a couple of Chippenham backs and gave a perfect pass to Sam Smee, (who had been forced to spend the whole game at scrum half due to player unavailability and had made a very good fist of things) who ran in unopposed from thirty metres.

Mackay surprisingly missed the conversion but Weston now had a 22-8 lead, and were looking for a bonus try…. It wasn’t to be and Westons’ defensive qualities were tested as Chippenham, with unexpected gratuitous possession from uncontested scrums, ran everything in an attempt to close the gap.

A ploy which was doubtless greatly appreciated by the home sides’ five front row forwards as they tracked from side to side. The dam broke once as Squaire got across in the corner to complete their scoring and the match finished as it had started with the Weston forwards rumbling towards the opposition tryline.

Weston gave a debut to a second player in this match. Jack Skelton, younger brother of currently injured full back Harvey made his first appearance, also at full back. 

Weston-super-Mare: J Skelton, S Edwards, H Jones, K Middlemiss, M Watkins, J Mackay, S Smee, D Swann (c), C Withers, D Price, A Russell, D Bufton, B Cox, P Morrissey, G Sparks. Replacements used: S Donegan, D Burge and R Mackay.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Dave Bufton, George Sparks, Sam Smee; cons: James Mackay (2); pen: James Mackay; yellow card: Paul Morrissey

Chippenham scorers - tries: Jon Squire (2); pen: Sam Saunders.

More match photos courtesy of Andrew Collins