Sat 5 Nov 2016
Weston United 26 Tor 28
Report by Sam Waterman
United suffer agonising defeat for first loss of the season
The United entertained Tor, in what has always been a close battle, and this proved to be no different. However, it was Tor who would prevail with the last kick of the match, to hand the United their first loss of the season. I can safely say that everyone involved was devastated… whilst Tor celebrated as if they’d won a World Cup! Fair play lads, look forward to return fixture.
Playing into the breeze, Weston started the strongest. In what can only be described as champagne rugby for 2-3 minutes, with the ball being spun from touchline to touchline and rucks being blitzed. This provided the backs an attacking platform which proved too much for Tor.
Mis-match in numbers and Ollie Caton cut through for the score. Conversion missed, after a minor debacle in which George Chapman was brought the wrong tee. This proved to be the only input from the United as they appeared to go to sleep for the next 35 minutes!
Tor came back with two penalties, one kicked from the halfway line, and then applied further pressure to score 2 converted tries. Their kicker (who I’m informed was only given the duties on the day) was having a great day with the boot.
Just before the half time whistle, veteran Dave Steele who was making his 250th appearance in the United, had a slap at their prop. However, the retaliating headbutt from the Tor player warranted a red card. The referee decided to send both to the bin for 10 minutes with a yellow. 5-20 down at half time, and this was unchartered territory for the United.
Clearly spurred on from a half time roasting, the lads upped their game and started to produce some of the rugby that we’ve been accustomed to seeing. The first score came from Chris Young after another sweeping passage of play.
Chapman added the extras. Four minutes later and Caton was on the scoresheet again, in similar fashion to the previous try. Again, Chapman added the conversion. 19-20 and it was now game on.
Unfortunately, a couple of missed tackles allowed one of their quick backs a simple run in for an unconverted try. The United then dug deep and camped out in the Tor 22m area. A few moments of indecision as well as a couple of adjudged tries being held up… costing them time to score the 4th try of the afternoon.
It eventually came from a scrum ball, Dan Lomax carried the ball to the defensive line and lifted a simple ball off his shoulder to Adam Godfrey to charge over. Conversion added, and for the first time since the 5th minute Weston were in front.
The last 8 minutes seemed to go on for an eternity…! And strangely having kicked off 15 minutes before the 1st team game, they were finished and left the pitch by the time we got there? The result should have been put beyond doubt with 2 mins to play.
Ben Searle made a superb break from the base of a scrum. He was ably support by his wifey Godfrey, only for Godders to overrun him. Forward pass and knock on… scrum to Tor. From this scrum, they worked the ball up-field and a stray boot in the side of the ruck gave them a penalty 30-35m out in front of the posts.
We all waited agonisingly for the kicker to step up and stroke over a very well taken penalty to leave the lads with head in hands, whilst Tor celebrated a hard-fought win. Lessons should be learnt from today. None more so than player ownership and organisation. A big step up needs to be made to prepare for the visiting Hornets on the 19th… everyone get down to support please!!
Special mentions must go to the front row contingency. Losing our regular captain and hooker (Dave Bird) to the 1s meant Aaron Solomon had to step up and hook with Jake Whatley throwing in, and then moving across to hooker when Solomon made way for the returning Chris Leigh.
On debut Ramaz Rukhadze, our resident Georgian, had a strong game. Both Ramaz and Leigh carried exceptionally well, breaking gain-lines every time.All four players did their part, as did Ross Chesher with some strong ball carries, Billy Kirk and Callum Kingscott were everywhere around the park.
It’s great that so many young players are performing well, and will undoubtedly go on to be stalwarts of the 1st team in years to come.
Weston United scorers - tries: O Caton (2), C Young, A Godfrey; cons: G Chapman (3)
