Tribute Somerset Premier

Nailsea & Backwell 8 Weston United 12

This weekend the United travelled to Nailsea & Backwell, but unfortunately we weren’t going to be enlightened by one of Stuart Board’s pre match N&B chats… I’m pretty sure he has a holiday home there or something similar, as he definitely has a high level of affection for the place!

In recent years the away fixture to N&B has always been a tight affair, and this proved to be the same case again. The forwards having a good old battle, whilst the backs having more of a chat about heading inside for a beer having not seen much ball. It was a scrappy game that to’d and fro’d, with the United running out eventual winners 12-8.

As per last week, a game of 2 halves’. N&B playing down the slope pressed hard with the defence holding strong or the last ball being fumbled. A much changed United team due to injuries and unavailability’s was to change further with two injury forced substitutions.

Benbob Fondu went down with an ankle injury and was replaced by yours truly on 11 minutes, and Loz Ware took a blow to the head to be replaced by Simon Hudson… but not at full back fortunately! A reshuffled team saw N&B score an unconverted try through a driving maul as well as a late penalty to lead 8-0 at half time.

Another “Dave Bird special” team talk, with input from Moz did the trick. The United came out invigorated and were quick to score through a pushover try, dabbed down nonchalantly by Paul Morrissey. Lomax added the extras.

Aaron Solomon who’d stepped up from the Development team doing well against his opposite man. The United then spurned a few more chances with hands or decision making letting the players down, coupled with a determined N&B defence.

Weston’s defence held N&B out for the half, with one example where Sam Waterman outpaced a far younger backrow player to a ball hacked through and prevented a certain try. And yes, writers’ prerogative allows me to blow smoke up my own…!

There were a couple of decisions by the referee that were questioned by both sides, and more so by the rather vociferous N&B crowd. Although I’m not sure how well “rugby educated” some of their comments were!

One decision that N&B were clearly frustrated by, resulted in the deciding try of the game. However, his role is a tough one to carry out and both sides (and their supporters) should probably be a bit more respectful of his decision made, whether it be right or wrong in their opinion.

N&B rallied hard at the end of the game to get a try of their own, but the Weston defence held firm. Despite now having conceded 3 tries, the United haven’t conceded a single point in the second half of any match this season. Next week sees a visit to Oldfield OB’s who are also going well being unbeaten this season.

Weston United scorers - tries: Paul Morrissey, Simon Hudson; con: Dan Lomax