Tribute Somerset 2 North

Weston Athletic 5 Bath Old Edwardians 15

Weston's Development Squad opened the New Year by welcoming the league leaders to The Rec.

In their first meeting the sides played out a closely contested match and this was to be the case again today.

It was the visitors who started better with Weston not helping themselves with a series of errors and poor touch kicks.

With Weston not firing Edwardians were able to dominate territory and they deservedly took the lead with a penalty kick on 10 minutes.

Weston still not at the races and from the kick off Edwardians were straight back in Weston's 22 where they began to turn the screw in the scrummage.

Their 10 was then allowed far too much room to run in and the visitors led 0-8. From here the visitors looked like they could extend their lead at will.

Not a lot working for the home side and things got worse when DJ Wills was yellow carded for a soppy challenge at the lineout.

However much to their credit, Weston dug in and defended really well to stop Edwardians scoring.

A couple of changes with Luke Grimes and Darren Doughty coming on to give Weston parity at the set piece and Weston now began to make ground.

Rare visits into the opposition half were now becoming more regular and Weston were rewarded when full back Troy Hannam crossed in the corner following some excellent work by the pack.

Second half and Weston realising that they had a real chance to cause an upset, and they started well.

The set piece was on top now and Weston were creating opportunities.

However they weren't being taken and with overlap opportunities being created it was dissapointing that the lads couldn't take advantage of them.

Both sides were now down to 14 with Dan Berry carded on the stroke of half time for a deliberate knock on and the Edwardians 8 (who was their stand out player) carded for letting Dan Prime get on his nerves and giving him a shove.

In fairness I've wanted to shove him a few times myself so understand how he felt.

Back to the game and all the territory was Weston's but Edwardians defence was strong.

As the game moved into the final 10, it was clear that the next try would prove decisive.

Sadly for us, it went the way of Edwardians who broke away to score through their impressive full back who crashed through several tackles on his way to the line. Conversion good, 5-15 and no way back for the home side.

As time ran out Edwardians had held out and Weston were left to rue a missed opportunity.

There were lots of positives for the lads to take forward in 2017.

The second half performance was very good, Blaine Tottle, Darren Doughty and Dave Steele worked very well, with good support from Aaron Soloman and Sam Light.

In the backs, Troy Hannam signed off before his 3 month holiday with a good performance whilst Dan Berry shone with some great carries.

Man of the Match this week was Josh Burton who made some key first half tackles and threw some quality darts in the lineout. Top lad!!

Next week we are away at Gordano in a key fixture. All at training please.