Sat 15 Nov 2014
National League 3 South West
Oxford Harlequins 12 Weston-super-Mare 23
The high-level performance of Weston’s outstanding scrummage went a long way towards a valuable away victory at North Hinksey.
Acting skipper Paul Morrissey and his men gave notice in the first-half and for the rest of the match they were completely dominant leading to the late tries of half-backs Harry Jones and Hayden Tuttiett.
Weston had started well. New wing Jonathan Reyes went close to scoring at the right corner and centre Jack Skelton was soon converting a brace of penalties from 35 and 40 metres for a six-point advantage.
Weston were not helping themselves with some poor handling, but in first-half time added, Skelton kicked his third penalty for an interval score of 12-9.
The Seasiders had to be at their defensive best at the start of the second period as the hosts attacked relentlessly. But they managed to stem the tide with some first rate tackling, notably by flankers Ben Cox and Shaun Eaton and although Skelton failed with an easy penalty attempt, Morrissey’s pack was now completely dominant at the set piece.
The Seasiders were camped on the home line for 15 minutes and there were several attempts at pushovers which were repelled.
Skelton converted for 12-16 and three minutes into injury time yet another big heave at a set scrum gave Tuttiett the chance to put the result beyond doubt with his second try of the season. Skelton converted.
Weston-super-Mare: N Berzins, J Reyes, J Skelton, R Mackay, M Watkins, H Jones, H Tuttiett, D Crompton, C Withers, O Streeter, A Glen, E Bulger, S Eaton, B Cox, P Morrissey (c). Replacements used: E Hunt, R Johnston, R Webster.
