Tribute Somerset Premier

Weston United 20 Wiveliscombe 6

Match report courtesy of Sam Waterman

The United entertained Wiveliscombe at The Rec, in what was anticipated to be a good match with both sides going in unbeaten on 10 points; and the game didn’t disappoint. There were a number of changes due to work commitments and the Salisbury sisters deciding they needed to move to Uni on a Saturday afternoon… surely Weston rugby is education enough?!

There was a strong battle up front with a well drilled Wivey pack having some good strike runners. The difference again being the United’s defence… an outstanding performance from everyone to keep the third team in a row from scoring a try.

Wivey dominated possession in the first half with strong ball carries. However, the first score came from a great line break by Kirk Middlemiss to feed Marcus Nel, making his debut. The field position was capitalised on and Billy Kirk, who had a great game, broke the Wivey defence to feed man of the match Hayden Tuttiett in a very well executed 2 on 1 with the fullback. Dan Prime added the extras.

Wivey responded with a penalty of their own, through United ill-discipline. This is something that needs to be addressed by the players as it is affording the opposition a lot of free yardage and field position. The rest of the first half was a bit of a stalemate with both sides creating half-chances, but the only points going to a Prime penalty. 10-6 at the break.

The second half started as the first ended. Wivey had an effective, but limited game plan, rarely going outside the 12/13 channel. Middlemiss and Nel had a strong game in the centre making numerous tackles. Dave Steele replaced Callum Kingscott on 48 mins, just to make Dave Bird feel a bit better as he was no longer the oldest player on the park. Clearly Steele only wanted to play less than half an hour, being yellow carded for an alleged arm-less tackle on 76 mins.

A Wivey penalty then finally spurned the United attack into action; sending the result beyond doubt with 10 mins to play. After a series of strong phases, Billy again found himself breaking the gain-line and in a nigh on identical fashion put Matt Burns (who’d enjoyed a lazy day on the wing recovering from his holiday) in to round the last defender. Conversion missed.

The final score came from a great catch and drive by the forwards, and captain Bird being the recipient. Mingo would be gutted not to be playing as it was a carbon copy of a number of his efforts from last season! Conversion missed.

Wivey then threw everything at Weston and the defence stayed strong. Outstanding last ditch tackles and smother hits right on the Weston try line, prevented them from scoring. Another win, sadly without a bonus point, but the United can reflect on a great afternoon of defence coupled with some glimpses of what can be created in attack.

The win was celebrated late into the night with the 1s who had also won again on Ash Russell’s 300th game for them. An outstanding achievement, by a bloody nice bloke. Keep up the gym work Asssssshh.

Weston United scorers - tries: Hayden Tuttiett, David Bird, Matt Burns; con: Dan Prime; pen: Dan Prime; yellow card: Dave Steele (76 min)