Tribute Somerset Premier

Oldfield Old Boys 20 Weston United 23

With both teams having a 100% win record, the same number of league points, and Weston having a better points scored difference of only 10 points… this was set to be a great match. And the spectators who turned out weren’t disappointed.

Weston started the brighter and were quickly into their stride, putting together 3-phase play rugby which has been coached well this season. The lads reloaded and got into shape well to throw wave after wave of attack at their hosts.

The forwards created a great platform for the returning Ollie Trott to unleash the Weston backline. The first try came from a sweeping move from one touchline to the other, with Matt Watkins gassing his opposite man and riding the tackle over the line to score in the corner. Conversion missed… not the first!!

The second try came from continued Weston pressure, with the Oldfield coaches commenting on how well the United were playing. Richard Johnston making a welcome returning to the team after a week off playing in the 1s, showed great strength to break a couple of tackles and score in the corner. Clearly all that bulking is helping Rich! Conversion missed.

The United then seemed to take the foot off the gas as Oldfield came back into the game with strong ball carrying and an equally quick and skilful backline. From a well-executed driving maul, they shunted over for a converted try. Fortunately, someone had brought their kicking boots, shame it wasn’t one of our players.

Weston were again spurned into action, and Chris Young broke the line with a trademark step (which both Hudson and I saw coming a mile off) and scampered to the line from 30m out. Milkman always delivers. Conversion missed… again.

This time by George Chapman, as with 0 from 4 (including a couple of missed penalties) Dan Lomax was contemplating selling his green tee on eBay!! I’m sure there is someone else out there with a 50 pence foot that will snap it up (Gunner perhaps?!).

Drunken lectures on goal kicking are always available from yours truly, reminiscing about 15-16 years ago. Still the 4th best (some argue 5th) fullback in my family… fact!

Oldfield scored a short range try after sustained pressure, and Chappers succeeded in exchanging penalties with their fly half to leave the United leading 18-15 at the break. A great half of rugby that probably should have resulted in a larger lead… lessons learned though.

The 2nd half was a battle of the defences. Both teams equal to the challenge and thwarting each other’s periods of pressure with the ball in hand.

Weston forwards carried well, in particular Jake Whatley (consistently good), Ross Chesher (yesssth Ross, good game), and Sam Light - finally using his 22 stone effectively in giving a man of the match performance.

Paul Morrissey was next on the score sheet with a short range effort of his own, after a number of close drives by the forwards. Conversion missed, which was accompanied by another missed penalty.

Mozza then spent 10 mins in the bin for supporting Johnston, who’d had what appeared to be a boot or punch to the head in a ruck. The referee dealt with the situation well whilst half of both teams carried on playing a further 40-50m up field!

Marcus Nel replaced Matt Burns, who’d had a very good afternoon in the centre. Nel quickly got into his stride with some abrasive running and defence. Billy Kirk replaced Mozza after his bin and looked lively with strong defensive work alongside Johnston and Callum Kingscott, who continues to impress and improve week on week.

Simon Hudson got a cameo appearance (management’s prerogative) at the end for Sam Light, but his fresh legs and bulk helped sure up the last scrum of the game!

At 23-15 down, Oldfield then mounted an onslaught on the Weston line. They were rewarded with a try on 74 mins with the conversion missed it was anybody’s game! However, the Weston defence did what it has been doing all season and working till the 80th minute.

Although this week Trott decided he needed more match fitness to prolong it to 83 mins! With time up, Weston were awarded a free kick… which kicked to touch would have ended the game! Instead Trott tapped quickly and passed to Young who wellied the ball down the pitch.

Oldfield gathered and played for the further 3 minutes till a handling error ended the game!! Fortunately no more points or penalties were conceded in that time!! 23-20, and a thoroughly entertaining game of rugby… but it’s not doing wonders for me as I reckon by the time the season is out I might actually look my age with the stress levels caused!!

So 6 from 6 and only 1 point behind league leaders Winscombe. In addition, there were great wins for all other teams in the club… so great weekend had by all. Next United match is at home to St Bernadette’s on 22nd October.

Weston United scorers - tries: Matt Watkins, Chris Young, Rich Johnston, Paul Morrissey; pen: George Chapman; yellow card: Paul Morrissey (50 min)