Tribute Somerset Premier

Weston United 45 St Bernadettes 12

Weston United went into the game with a number of changes, which meant the Vet’s contingency is ever increasing. Life in the old dogs yet…!

St Bernadette’s are always a physical side and this proved to be no different. They have strong ball carriers, but have struggled this season to get the results. Weston started brightly with a dominant forward drive from a lineout, and Dave Bird at the rear dabbing down. George Chapman adding the extras.

Despite the changes, the mentality and attitude of the players in the United (and throughout the club) has been fantastic this season. The centre partnership of Marcus Nel and Mitch Salisbury worked well, and the outside backs saw quite a bit of ball… well Adam Godfrey did.

However, the seemingly open door for him to step inside was generally closed quickly! The next try came from a good move that utilised the width and put Troy Hannam (aka Kapow Man) in at the corner. Welcome return for Troy. Conversion missed.

Rich Johnston, who has consistently played well this season, was regularly being used as the ball carrier into traffic. Not being the largest forward we have; the tubbier lads were asked at half time to step up and carry!

Johnston however, put in another man of the match performance, was next on the scoresheet. Conversion missed. Billy Kirk joined the fray, replacing Sam Light who came off with what can only be described as hurty foot! Clearly all that gas causing blisters!

Half time score 17-0, and all feeling ok… except it should have been more. The target of 50 was set for the 2nd half, with SBOB’s to not score any.

The 2nd half started brightly with great breaks being made by Kirk, Johnston and Nel. The front row union of Whatley, Bird and Solomon (and on-pitch prop replacement Hudson!) who’ve now played the last few matches together, worked well and carrying hard.

The ball was being recycled at speed by Ollie Trott, who’d picked up a nasty gash (probably not a first…) to the head, and Callum Kingscott ghosted through the flailing defence to score. Chapman added the extras.

Weston were in the ascendency and Ross Chesher was next to score. I’m pretty confident Chesh hasn’t seen something spread that easily for a while, as he hit a great line to gallop through untouched and under the posts. Chapman converted.

Frustratingly (but not undeserved for effort), SBOB’s then scored an unconverted try of their own. Dave Steele replaced Kingscott after taking an eternity to warm the old carcass up on the sideline… he was straight into the action taking the kick off and a trademark step off the trusty left a few times.

The ball was worked well up the field and Nel who was having a great 2nd half broke the line and outpaced the defence to score. Chapman converted. SBOB’s then added a 2nd try (this time converted).

The final score came 3 minutes from time, and again by Nel. Clearly the introduction of yours truly attracted the attention of the defence for a simple miss pass to put Nel into space. He evaded 2 or 3 would be tacklers and sprinted clear, not requiring the close support of Waterman.

It’s amazing how the quicksand often encountered isn’t there when you’re not carrying the ball! Chapman added the extras and 8 minutes work for me was done!

Final score 45-12, to make it 7 from 7 for the United.

Next week sees a tough test away to Stothert & Pitt, which will include further changes as a large contingency are away celebrating Tom Main’s stag do. Get your boots back on tank, you need to be able to fit into that monkey suit in a couple of months!!

Weston United scorers - tries: David Bird, Troy Hannam, Rich Johnston, Callum Kingscott, Ross Chesher, Marcus Nel (2); cons: George Chapman (5)