Tribute Somerset 2 North

Weston Athletic 10 Cheddar Valley 14

Weston Athletic's Achilles Heel struck again as a lethargic opening 25 minutes gifted Cheddar 14 points, and ultimately cost Weston victory.

Having had a really physical encounter in the reverse fixture, Weston knew that today would be a real test that they would have to meet head on.

However, it was Cheddar who came out of the tunnel in the mood for a rugby match whilst Weston enjoyed the sunshine.

Five minutes gone and Cheddar crossed after some poor tackling in the midfield. Conversion added 0-7.

On 14 minutes Cheddar doubled their lead with a series of good drives couldn't be kept out. 0-14.

Weston spent the next 10 minutes working really well to keep Cheddar out and they could well have added 2 or 3 more tries in this period.

Having weathered the storm, Weston then got a good foothold in the game when Luke Grimes came on at prop.

All of a sudden Weston were dominant at the set piece and this gave them much bettter field position. A

few chances came along for the home side when they moved the ball wide, with Simon Owens making some great breaks.

Poor handling let us down a little but with much more pressure being applied Weston were finally able to register points when Archie Tilsley cooly slotted a penalty with the last play to see the half time score 3-14.

Second half and Weston with a strong breeze behind them and Cheddar now looking good with their pick and go.

Once again Weston defended well and then looked to move the ball on the counter. Good defence by Cheddar keeping the home side out.

Weston looked to turn the screw and then a 10 minute period of pressure began on the Cheddar 5m line.

A series of scrum, penalty, scrum plays as Weston looked to drive over and Cheddar looked to hold out.

Sam Light was denied a perfectly good try when a 3rd penalty was conceded by Cheddar and play was bought back.

Scrum please, and after another penalty the ref went under the sticks to award a penalty try. Yellow card for Cheddar. Tilsley converted and game on at 10-14.

Eight minutes to go but Weston buggered up the restart and knocked on and we're then frustrated as we had to go uncontested in the scrum.

However a resulting penalty and a fine touch kick saw Weston back inside Cheddar's 22.

Weston had a really good opportunity with the catch and drive but some excellent, if not ridiculously illegal, work from Cheddar's hooker saw the ball stripped and the visitors were able to clear.

Weston had one more shot but Cheddar stood firm to take the victory.

Weston can be really pleased with the second half effort but have to focus hard on producing an 80 minute display.

Poor starts have cost so many points this season.

Top marks today to Aaron Solomon, who played 2 games in 2 days, Sam Light who had a good second half and Kieran Shelley who tackled all day.

Stefan Thomson looked good in the centre with some great distribution whilst Simon Owens looked really good with ball in hand.

Man of the Match today was Luke Grimes who completely turned the set piece our way with an excellent scrummaging display.

We're on the road for the last time this season on Saturday with a biggy at Old Reds. All to training please.