Tribute Somerset Premier

Weston United 29 pts Yatton 28 pts

Weston were looking to right the wrongs in this match against their neighbours Yatton. As when then played them earlier in the season and lost it was undoubtedly their worst team performance of the season.

Things didn’t start well for Weston when they were awarded an early kickable penalty and George Chapman sent the ball wide of the posts.

That said Weston soon found their rhythm with a fine turnover by veteran Paul Sprague, who popped the ball to supporting hooker Harry Nash who then passed to centre Ollie Caton running a great line through a gaping hole to score under the posts. Conversion added by Chapman.

Weston were soon adding another try within eight minutes. Camped near their own line and with their scrum under some pressure, Sprague managed to break up field and find fly half Dan Lomax who off loaded superbly in the tackle to Caton who sped up the left wing and passed in field to winger Mike McCarthy to score and Chapman added the simple conversion.

Yatton finished the half the stronger side and Weston were grateful for the defensive efforts of the forwards in particular Rich Ford and Shaun Eaton who tackled relentlessly.

Weston did have a chance to extend their lead with a penalty prior to half time but Chapman again missed an easy kick at goal.

With only seconds remaining of the first half Yatton had an attacking scrum five yards from the try line. Their number eight broke and decided to go down the blind channel but sadly ran into the smallest player on the park in scrum half Ollie Trott who duly picked him up with ease and marched him back down the pitch before depositing him onto his backside. Half time whistle blown and Weston led 14-0.

Weston started the second half well and McCarthy scored his second in the corner following a great break by the outstanding Trott, conversion missed.
Caton and his opposite number were then both sent to the sin bin to cool off for ten minutes by the referee following a couple of scuffles...nothing more than handbags.

Now leading 19-0 and in full control Weston pressed the self destruct button and in some style.
Yatton scored two very quick converted tries that resulted from poor discipline and missed tackles from the Weston players and they were now back in the game.

Trott who had now taken the game by the scruff of the neck made another trademark break skipping past several Yatton players to pop to Caton who scored under the posts and secured the bonus point. Lomax who had taken over the kicking duties then had his simple attempt charged down and all these missed kicks were starting to cost the team!!

Weston bizarrely gifted Yatton two further converted tries through more missed tackles, their second being a length of the field effort that was quite impressive. Yatton were now leading for the first time in the match 24-28 and time was running out.

Weston then broke from inside their half and quick hands by the backs and a sweetly timed pass by Robbie Mackay found Chapman who went around the outside of the Yatton winger to score in the corner. U guessed the next bit.....conversion missed, three minutes left and winning 29-28.

From the restart Weston infringed and donated Yatton a kickable penalty and a chance to win the game. There was silence around the ground as the Young Yatton ten who had kicked well all game stepped up and to the relief of the Weston players sent the ball wide of the posts and Weston deservedly won the game.

This win was very much down to scrum half Tott who orchestrated proceedings throughout and got the back line moving. Ford, Sprague and Eaton also had impressive games in the pack and worked tirelessly at the breakdowns.

Weston United scorers - tries: Ollie Caton (2), Mike McCarthy (2), George Chapman; cons: George Chapman (2)