Tribute Somerset 2 North

Stothert & Pitt 2ndXV 16 Weston Athletic 21

Weston's Development Squad travelled to Stothert & Pitt this week in a re-arranged league fixture.

With the side not having played for three weeks they knew a fast start would be required.

However, this was not the case and Weston looked extremely rusty.

The hosts were far more hungry at the breakdown and when Weston did secure ball they ran back into traffic and were turned over.

Stothert deservedly took the lead with two well converted penalties and were unlucky not to make it three after 25 minutes.

Weston's penalty count had already reached double figures and with half an hour gone this was looking like a very long afternoon.

Changes were made with Rob Blackborrow and Rob Tollan moving into the 2nd row, and Luke Grimes on at prop to shore up the set piece.

Weston then finally started to play. Good quick ball from the breakdown and a great flat miss pass from fly half Stefan Thomson put Adam Godfrey away and his pace took him away from the defence.

Full back to beat and a ball back inside to Kirk Middlemiss who had made a great supporting run saw Weston score under the posts. Middlemiss converted his own try, 6-7.

Three minutes later and Weston were at it again.

This time Godfrey was bought down short of the line but a great pop pass from the floor found Troy Hannam who crossed unopposed for Weston's second.

Conversion added and at half time Weston lead 6-14 completely against the run of play.

A frank half time discussion saw Weston start the second half in a much more focused manner.

Weston began making good opportunities but failed to take them and Stothert dug in well. T

hen the tide turned again.

Weston still giving away penalties and now the ref had had enough of us.

Yellow Card for Tollan who couldn't resist playing the 9 and Stothert quickly took advantage with a try 3 minutes later. Conversion missed, 11-14.

Weston made a change with Sam Light coming back in to the boiler and he was to have a really positive impact.

Weston pushed hard from the restart and from a series of well worked set pieces Light picked and rolled to cross the try line. Middlemiss added the extras and Weston led 11-21.

From here we should've seen out the game and secured a bonus point but Stothert rallied once again.

Weston were now being penalised for anything and it was no suprise when PJ Grimes saw yellow with 5 minutes to go.

Stothert scored almost immediately and set up a tense last few.

To Weston's credit though they managed this period really well but couldn't create an opportunity for a bonus point.

Final whistle and Stothert fully deserving a losing bonus point 16-21.

This was a day for Weston to learn lessons.

Far too many penalties were conceeded and we didn't show a lot of game management.

However, the positives were the lads post match reaction to a game they won.

Some very good individual performances today. Billy Kirk and Sam Webb-Wood were excellent all over the place whilst Adam Godfrey and Troy Hannam impressed in the backline.

Man of the Match was Kirk Middlemiss who led the side well and gave a very positive performance. One eye on Hornets??