Tribute Somerset 2 North

Weston Athletic 27 Old Redcliffians 3rdXV 24

Weston fielded a strong side for this much anticipated game but Old Reds matched them in every department and the game was close, keenly contested and a great advertisement for entertaining rugby at this level.

Despite the Weston scrum being under some pressure it was the Weston back row who worked well with the backs to produce the first try for skipper Simon Hudson after 8 minutes.

The touch line try was converted by Dan Prime who was on hand just 4 minutes later to finish a move that had seen the ball recycled several times.

Mysteriously the visiting Kiwi ref blew for half time with just 28 minutes gone and only restarted the game after being challenged by both home and away managers.

Weston might have regretted this as they lost concentration and allowed Old reds a couple of relatively easy scores for the half to finish at the correct time with the sides locked at 12 each.

Old Reds took an early lead in the second half which prompted some substitutions for Weston which heralded their best passage of play.

For 25 minutes Weston were in complete control scoring two tries by Arnold and Hudson with a Dan Prime penalty in between giving the Athletic a 10 point lead.

Old Reds came back strongly in the last 10 minutes and scored a late converted try but as the ref blew for full time Weston Athletic had held on to their slender lead.

This fifth win from 6 starts sees Weston Athletic take second slot in Somerset 2 North 2 points in front of old rivals Gordano who have a game in hand.