Tribute Somerset 2 North

Whitehall 2ndXV 10 Weston Athletic 34

Weston travelled to Whitehall this week, looking to extend their unbeaten run to six games.

With the rain teeming down and a pitch like a sponge, today was not going to be a day for free flowing rugby and Weston knew that mistakes would be costly.

The visitors started very well, but conceeded territory in the first 10 minutes as Whitehall used the pick and go to make inroads.

Weston's defence holding strong with good tackles being made and turnovers being affected. Weston then began to move downfield, aided by a dominant set piece scrum.

With pressure on every scrummage it was the quick thinking of scrum half Ben Searle who pounced on indecision at the Whitehall base to steal the ball and scammper in at the corner on 13 minutes. Conversion missed 0-5.

From here Weston took control and continued to press for the next try. The conditions not helping and some great pressing in the midfeld preventing the backs from utilising the ball.

On 23 minutes Weston managed to break the line close in and Jake Grimes made a great inside supporting run, to take a beautiful pop pass from Ben Searle and score under the sticks. Prime converted 0-12.

Weston looked in control, but started to make a few errors and created pressure on themselves. The defence was being tested, but standing strong and clearances were now finding the right areas to give us territory.

Two minutes before the break Weston struck again with their best try of the day. Strong carries in the midfield and sound recycling was moved wide and a great dummy line gave Weston an overlap out wide where Loz Armstrong drew the last man to put Jamie Smith away for Weston's 3rd try. Conversion missed (standard!) 0-17 at the break.

Second half, Weston setting themselves some targets to work towards, and things started very well.

Three minutes in and Weston moved the ball well to the flanks where they made good ground, before coming back to put Dan Prime away with numbers to spare.Primes outpaced the defence to score in the corner and extend the lead to 0-22.

Weston now began to suffer from a 20 minute spell of complacency and the majority of this period was played out in Weston's half.

Whitehall kept coming, with their No7 leading the way with some excellent carries.

On 58 minutes their determination was rewarded when they broke the Weston line to score in the corner. Conversion missed 5-22.

Nothing really much going on for the next 10.

Weston still with their foot off the accelerator and Whitehall camped in Weston's half.

But it suddenly changed on 70 minutes with the visitors scoring two tries in two minutes to end the contest.

Firstly, some great phase play put together saw Benbobson Fondu away on the outside and he was too strong for any wood be defender to race in under the sticks. Loz Armstrong added the conversion 5-29.

From the re-start the outstanding Chris Leigh set off on the charge before a perfect pop out the back door put skipper Paul Sprague through a hole and he raced 60 meteres to score Weston's 6th. Conversion missed 5-34.

With the light failing Weston were happy for the ref to call it a day, but there would be one last statement from the hosts when they broke through to score under the posts. Conversion missed final score 10-34.

This was a good victory for Weston who can take a lot of pluses from the performances.

The scrummage was excellent as were some phases in the loose.

Sol Ward had his best performance of the season and was supported well by Jake Grimes and the impressive Josh Burton in the pack.

Ben Searle justified his decision to miss the start of his works do with a very good display at 9 whilst Stefan Thomson and Loz Armstrong worked well in the centre.

No doubting the man of the match though. Chris Leigh was outstanding leading the tackle count and clearing out everything at the breakdown.

His carries and offloads constantly put Weston on the front foot. Good to see you back Chris!

Next week Weston will end 2016 with a visit to Hornets in a 2nd v 3rd contest. At the moment this is a SATURDAY fixture. KO 1430.