Tribute Somerset Premier

Weston United 35 Taunton 2ndXV 30

Taunton are a far better side than what their current league position would suggest and the Weston players were warned that this match would not be a given.

Taunton were first to score following a fine break by their centre to feed the winger for his first of the afternoon. George Chapman then kicked a simple penalty as the Taunton forwards were caught offside at a ruck. Taunton then took a quick tap penalty and caught Weston sleeping as they spread it wide for a score in the corner.

Weston then went on the attack, Callum Kingscott secured fine ball at the lineout to enable Chapman to pop the ball to Paul Sprague who cut a brilliant line off his wing to score. Chapman added the conversion.

Taunton then scored two quick tries through poor defence and missed tackles. 25 minutes gone and Taunton had secured the four try bonus point and their right winger had a hat-trick!

Weston centre Sam Waterman then made a barnstorming run, evading several defenders before feeding winger Troy Hannam to score. From the re-start Simon Hudson knocked the ball on and then gave away a penalty which Taunton converted.

On the stroke of half time, Taunton scored their fifth try following a grubber kick that bounced horribly over the head of Adam Godfrey into the waiting hands of a Taunton player. Taunton went into the break leading 15-30.

Weston started the second half well. A fine kick chase and pressure from Sprague led to a Taunton error and Jack Salisbury was able to scamper away for a try. Ross Chesher was then sent to the sin bin for over use of the boot at a ruck and didn't return for 15 minutes as the official appeared to get his timings wrong.

Chapman slotted an easy three as Taunton were again caught offside.

Salisbury then scored his second of the match and secured the bonus point as he broke blind from an attacking scrum an area that Weston were now dominating.

Flanker James Matthews then scored a trademark try from a catch and drive at the lineout following good work by Kingscott and Chapman converted to secure the win.

Weston were not great in this match, with far to many missed tackles but their set piece functioned well and gave them a solid platform.

The second half was all Weston and for the second week running the opposition failed to score any points in the final 40.

Salisbury had a fine game at scrum half, Kingscott continues to impress in the second row and Captain Matthews led his side well as the team continue to climb the table.

Weston United: Adam Godfrey; Paul Sprague, Matt Burns, Sam Waterman, Troy Hannem; George Chapman, Jack Salisbury; Tom Wheatley, Harry Nash, Will Hunt, Callim Kingscott, Ross Chesher, James Matthews (capt), Rich Johnson, Simon Hudson. Reps: Dave Burge, Loz Armstrong, Ben Searle

Weston United scorers - tries: Paul Sprague, Troy Hannam, Jack Salisbury (2), James Matthews; cons: George Chapman (2); pens: George Chapman (2); yellow card: Ross Chesher (47 min)