Tribute Somerset 2 North

Midsomer Norton 2ndXV 31 Weston Athletic 6

Weston travelled to Midsomer Norton yesterday looking to end January on a high after two league defeats. However, from the outset of the day, the omens weren't looking good.

A combination of unavailability, injury and let-downs left the side with a bare 15 and a 50/50 on the bench.

Arrival on ground and preparations went well with the Weston side focused and ready to go.

Cue the next setback, when centre Dan Berry knackered a knee after only a couple of minutes and enter Sol Ward (the aforementioned 50/50) for his first appearance on the wing since he was 7.

Weston had the early territory and were rewarded with a penalty from fly half George Chapman after 6 minutes.

However, as has been one the lads issues this month, an immediate mistake invited pressure when the ball was stolen in contact and all of sudden Norton were on the front foot.

Two scrums later and they were over for their first try, converted for a 7-3 lead.

Weston came back strongly and again had some good pressure in the Norton half. Then on 20 minutes Weston had their best period until a key minute or 4.

From a catch and drive they marched the hosts back towards their line only for the maul to be collapsed.

Penalty instead of penalty try (?????) awarded.

Weston back to the corner, catch and drive, penalty.

Back to the corner (can you see a pattern forming?) ball stolen (bugger) cleared up field, comedy sweeping, ball somehow on our 5 yard line, knocked on, scrum to Norton, reset, try. 12-3.

Weston still scratching heads came again, but Norton were on top now aided by some weak first up tackles most notably on the hosts impressive no8 who was being made to look like a Marvel Superhero as Westonians flew off the high attempts to fell him.

Weston dug in though and when the Norton no9 was carded for offside at the ruck, Weston looked to press.

On the stroke of half time Chapman cooly slotted a penalty to cut the lead to 12-6.

Sadly though for Weston this was a good as it got.

They leaked a try almost immediately from the restart which was converted for a 19-6 scoreline and from here a combination of injuries, patch ups, bullocking runs from Nortons 8, and a try midway through and at the end of the half did for Weston.

The visitors lost no8 Kieran Shelley (knee) and skipper Ben Searle (ankle) during the half, but despite that they still had their moments.

Sol Ward would have been put away if Weston had shown better basic skills and any number of backs could've been put away had one Weston player not kicked directly into touch.

I promised the player I wouldn't mention him, which I stand by.

Don't want to upset the ageing Welshman!!!!

Final score Norton 31 Weston 6.

A thoroughly deserved win for Norton who faced identical problems when they visited The Rec and scored some great tries.

Weston can take huge credit from the effort they put into the game and deservedly kept the flood gates closed.

January gone now (thank god) and we go again in February with 3 home fixtures and a trip to Hornets on the horizon.

We must get on the training paddock if we are to get back to winning ways.

Some great performances today not least from Blaine Tottle, Sol Ward and George Chapman who all worked tirelessly, but Man of the Match went to Jake Grimes who put a great shift in and made the tackle of the day when he made up 20 metres to stop a certain try at the death.

You've set your own standard now!

Next week we are at home to Old Reds who will be extremely strong. See you all Tuesday