National League 3 South West

Weston-super-Mare 31 pts Oxford Harlequins 18 pts

NOT for the first time this season, Weston allowed the opposition to score points during the final minutes of the match.

On this occasion it mattered not because the Seasiders had enough points in the bank, but if they are to escape relegation, they must give it their all for the entire match.

By the 15th minute at the Recreation Ground they were 12 points ahead. Rapid second phase possession gave full-back Chris Young an unconverted try in the fourth minute and Young was in attacking action again 11 minutes later when he delivered the scoring pass to centre Kirk Middlemiss, fly-half Glenn Dickson converting.

Oxford attacked with vigour early in the second period and they will surely rue their knock-on in the first minute.

However, they persisted and Sharrott’s second penalty followed. But the Seasiders stretched their lead within three minutes when the visitors’ defence faltered on their own line and scrum-half Hayden Tuttiett dived on the loose ball.

Dickson converted for 24-6 and slick handling produced a try for replacement George Sparks, Dickson’s third conversion taking the score to 31-6.

But, as what seems to be usual this season, Weston took their foot off the accelerator and the visitors were able to take maximum advantage with tries by wing Jack Robinson and full-back Kristian Borthwick, Sharrott adding one conversion.

Weston-super-Mare: C Young; S Edwards, K Middlemiss, O Snook, P Sprague; G Dickson (c), H Tuttiett; S Coles, M Hocking, O Streeter, S Eaton, A Russell, E Bulger, B Cox, C Gleeson. Reps: D Crompton, G Sparks, H Jones.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Chris Young, Kirk Middlemiss, Sylvan Edwards, Hayden Tuttiett, George Sparks; cons: Glenn Dickson (3)

Oxford Harlequins scorers - tries: Jack Robinson, Kristian Borthwick; con:Will Sharrott; pens:Will Sharrott (2); yellow card: Alan Purchase (32 min)