Tribute Somerset Premier

Nailsea & Backwell 22 Weston United 29

Weston knew that they would be in for a tough match against a side that had only lost the once at home and in what turned out to be atrocious conditions it was not going to be an afternoon of pretty rugby.

Captain James Matthews finally managed to win a toss and the away side elected to play up the hill first which would eventually turn out to be a crucial decision.

Nailsea kicked an early penalty as the Weston forwards were caught offside at a ruck.

Nailsea were then very lucky to score two breakaway tries as Weston were dominating play. One was from an intercept a long way out and the other was a fortunate hack down field. On the stroke of half time Nailsea scored a converted try from a catch and drive and this would be their last score of the afternoon as they led 22-0 at the break.

Nailsea went in thinking the game was over and how wrong they were. Weston re-grouped and knew they had far more to offer than their opponents and ten minutes into the second half they were on the scoreboard. Nailsea gave away several penalties, Weston elected to scrum and Paul Morrissey crossed for the try which George Chapman converted.

The Weston pack were now dominating the match and Nailsea had no answer to their superior power as James Matthews crossed from a driving maul. Six minutes later Matthews was crossing for his second as the forwards drove a maul from near to the halfway line in a fine execution of discipline and control.

With six minutes to go Nailsea had their second sin bin of the match as their discipline and penalty count spiraled out of control. Weston elected to scrum a penalty near to the try line as Nailsea offended again, the referee lost his patience and rightly awarded Weston a penalty try that Chapman converted.

The bonus point was secured and Weston finished things off as the hardworking Morrissey broke from a scrum to feed winger Troy Hannam for an easy finish.

29 unanswered second half points and the comeback was complete. The Weston pack were outstanding, second row Callum Kingscott grafted all match and secured a lot of lineout ball in tricky conditions.

Veteran hooker Dave Bird added a wise head and an edge in a battle of the packs. Morrissey and Matthews were also very impressive in a lively back row.

Special mention to the backs who remained focused throughout a cold and wet afternoon and in particular Chapman who switched between fly half, scrum half and fullback.

A great five point win that was thoroughly deserved at the final whistle.

Weston United: Sam Waterman; Troy Hannam, Matt Burns, Kirk Middlemiss, Adam Godfrey; George Chapman, Jack Salisbury;Aaron Solomon, Harry Nash, Will Hunt, Callum Kingscott, Ross Chesher, Paul Sprague, James Matthews (capt), Simon Hudson. Reps: Dave Bird, Paul Morrissey, Jon Filer

Weston United scorers - tries: Paul Morrissey, James Matthews (2), Troy Hannam; cons: George Chapman (2)