Tribute Somerset Premier

Oldfield Old Boys 25 Weston United 30

Weston travelled to "Fortress Shaft Road" and were looking to complete the double over Oldfield for a second successive season.

Oldfield are a very young and well organised outfit and Weston knew that it was going to be a close match and this one didn't disappoint as it went to the wire.

Weston were awarded an early penalty following a great break from the scrum by Richie Johnston that returning fly half George Chapman was able to kick the three points.

This was cancelled out five minutes later as the Weston back line were caught offside as Oldfield attacked.

On the half hour mark Weston were awarded a penalty for a high tackle.

They kicked it to the corner and a fine take by Callum Kingscott at the lineout enabled the pack to drive Oldfield back over their try line for Dave Bird to score. 

Second row Ben Cradock then broke away making several yards before Oldfield infringed again at the tackle area. Chapman slotted the penalty and this was soon cancelled out as Weston were adjudged to have pulled down a maul and the Oldfield kicker added a simple three.

On the stroke of half time, Oldfield lost their impressive number eight to a harsh yellow card. Weston elected to scrum the penalty and then shunted the Oldfield scrum backwards over their line for Johnston to dab down and went into the break leading 6-16.

Oldfield obviously were given a stern talking to at the break as they started the second half with such urgency that after two minutes they had taken the lead having scored two very quick tries one of which they managed to convert.

Both of these scores were from some pretty appalling missed tackles and Weston had been caught out as Oldfield began to move the ball through their hands.

Weston soon retook the lead as Chapman made a fine break, chipping the ball over the rush defence, collecting his own kick he then offloaded to supporting centre Jon Filer to score....or did he.....as Oldfield were adamant he dropped the ball over the line.

Either way and to the relief of Filer, the referee awarded the try and Chapman dropped kick the conversion.

On the hour mark Oldfield went on the attack and spread the ball wide and were only thwarted when Johnston put in a thunderous tackle on the Oldfield centre much to the delight of his teammates.

Five minutes later the lead changed hands again as more poor tackling attempts from Weston allowed Oldfield to score a converted try and they now led 25-23.

The fun and games then started on the sidelines as the Oldfield coaches completely lost their decorum following a decision by the Weston touch judge which the referee agreed with!

This game was never going to be won or lost on a decision by a touch judge, it was going to come down to a piece of individual brilliance and that is exactly what happened.

Fullback Matt Burns made a fine break and then backed himself and his pace to score a great individual try to win the match and secure the bonus point in the process and Chapman added the conversion.

Weston deserved to win this game and they can be thankful to Burns who tackled relentlessly all game and saved a couple of certain tries. Flanker Bird had another fine afternoon and his old head and experience certainly rubs off on others.

Ben Cradock carried well making several inroads, but the man of the match award went to Johnston who was superb throughout and appeared to be everywhere.

Weston United: Matt Burns; Mitch Salisbury, Loz Ware, Jon Filer, Troy Hannam; George Chapman, Jack Salisbury; Aaron Solomon, Joe Pullen, Ed Hunt, Ben Cradock, Ross Chesher, Callum Kingscott, David Bird, Rich Johnson. Reps: Darren Doughty, Rob Blackborrow, Joe McGrath.

Weston United scorers - tries: David Bird, R Johnson, Jon Filer, Matt Burns; cons:George Chapman (2); pens: George Chapman (2)