Tribute Somerset 2 North

Weston Athletic 7 Walcot Old Boys 2ndXV 24

Weston hosted Walcot this weekend looking to avenge defeat earlier in the season in what was the sides worst showing of the year.

With Walcot struggling with numbers and Harry Nash offering his services to the visitors to make up a front row, Weston were worryingly short of focus during the warm up.

The situation then worsened for the hosts with the arrival of Walcot's 1st XV after their game had been cancelled due to a frozen pitch.

No need for Nash after all and the visitors more than bolstered in the pack and backline. A much stiffer task now faced Weston and they started very well.

Good territory set up good platforms but poor handling was to let Weston down and opportunities went.

Weston then began to over commit and over run and when mistakes were made Walcot took advantage.

With the visitors now pressing they scored on 20 minutes, assisted by some poor tackling. Conversion added, 0-7.

Weston responded well and had their best period of the game.

Ramaz Rukhadze was on top form in the loose making some great carries and following an excellent break he was unlucky not to put Benbobson Fondu away on the outside.

Weston kept up the pressure and from a resulting penalty they opted to scrum where Ben Searle crossed to score on his penultimate appearance for the club. Prime converted 7-7.

Weston returned to the Walcot half directly from the kick off and were applying more pressure but were left frustrated when the ref blew for half time after 35 minutes with a 5 metre scrum to come.

Second half underway and Weston struggling.

Tackles being missed, handling errors and a few people going missing contrived to see the homeside drop off in their intensity and Walcot took advantage.

Things were in the balance in the early stages but when the visitors scored twice within 5 minutes around the three quarter mark of the game, Weston found themselves too far adrift at 7-19.

Walcot wrapped up their performance with a bonus point try on 70 minutes and more than deservedly ran out worthy winners.

Weston were left to reflect on a very dissapointing team effort in the second half and another missed opportunity.

Richard Johnston and Darren Doughty worked really hard all day but were often isolated at the breakdown, whilst Ramaz Rukhadze had an impressive first half display.

Debutants Archie Tilsley and Josh Bloxham deserve a mention whilst Jake Gillet enjoyed some good runs in the second half.

Man of the Match this week was skipper Paul Sprague who set a fine example that the junior players should look to follow.

Next week we are away at Midsomer Norton who sit just above us in the league. We build again on Tuesday.