Tribute Somerset Premier

Wiveliscombe 27 Weston United 24

Mingo hat-trick in vain as Weston hand Wivvy 5 points.

Games between these two sides are usually close encounters that go down to the wire and this was to be no different. Weston knew that winning the toss would give them a psychological advantage over their opponents, but sadly captain James Matthews lost the toss and Wivvy elected to play up the hill first.

Wivvy took an early lead converting a penalty kick, but Weston kicker George Chapman soon converted two penalties as the Wivvy backs were caught offside.

With only ten minutes of the half left Weston knew they had to convert their superior possession into points. Wivvy were conceding penalty after penalty so Weston elected to kick to the corner and after a good catch and drive, captain Matthews touched down.

Four minutes later winger Matt Watkins broke away only to be thwarted by a high tackle. Weston kicked to the corner from the penalty and a good take by Rich Johnston at the lineout enabled the pack to drive Matthews over for his second.

On the stroke of half time Weston were awarded another penalty as Wivvy infringed at the scrum. In a carbon copy of their other two tries, Weston kicked to the corner and from the resulting catch and drive flanker James Matthews completed a ten minute hat-trick.

Unfortunately Chapman missed all three conversions which would eventually contribute to Weston not winning the game. Half time score 3-21 to Weston.

Weston were warned what to expect in the second half playing up the slope and things were looking good as Chapman slotted his third penalty of the afternoon. With Weston now leading
3-24 and only twenty minutes left they decided to press the self destruct button.......and in some style.

Wivvy scored four tries, two of which they managed to convert to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the final twenty minutes. Weston have only themselves to blame as once again poor discipline and a lack of fight contributed to this undeserved defeat.

On a positive note centers Kirk Middlemiss and Huw Morgan both had fine afternoons in both attack and defence, but sadly the Weston backs did not see enough ball to trouble their worried looking opponents.

Weston deserved more than a losing bonus point from this match, but they will have to pick themselves up when they face the league leaders Yatton in two weeks time.

Weston United: Troy Hannam; Matt Watkins, Huw Morgan, Kirk Middlemiss, Ollie Caton; George Chapman, Ben Searle; Jake Whatley, Joe Pullen, Darren Doughty, Ross Chesher, Callum Kingscott, James Matthew (capt), Blaine Tottle, Rich Johnson. Reps: Will Hunt, Aaron Collins, Mitch Salisbury

Weston United scorers - tries: James Matthews (3); pens: George Chapman (3)