Weston United 19 Minehead Barbarians 18

BY RICH HYNES

Weston United welcomed Minehead to The Rec on Saturday looking to bounce back from a disappointing opening day defeat at Imperial.

Minehead had enjoyed a cricket score win by comparison and arrived rightly confident, if not slightly saturated following their pre match pitch walk in torrential downpour. Out came the sun and all that and both sides began in glorious sunshine.

Weston were on the front foot from the off, carrying well and making inroads and opened the scoring on 7 minutes when Ross Bennett crossed following a good passage of continuity. George Chapman couldn't add the extras and Weston led 5-0.

Minehead then came back strongly and slowly began to take control of things. They deservedly levelled with an unconverted try on 15 minutes after a strong period of pressure on the Weston line and Weston were beginning to drop off physically.

Minehead dominated the territory with Weston looking to counter off any scraps, but the visitors were on top.

Weston weren't helping themselves with some poor first up tackles being missed and were lucky to still be in the contest at half time with Minehead only adding to their tally through a penalty on 36 minutes and a converted try on the stroke of half time to lead 5-15.

Second half and Weston lost Billy Kirk with an eye injury and Mike Bennet who was struggling with manfluenza. Harry Nash and David Bird entered the fray and following some good chat at half time from the senior players, Weston went about getting back into the game.

Things were really tight for the opening 10 minutes as the sides battled with a series of carries into contact and lot a lot else, before Minehead regained their hold on the game.

Mike McCarthy came on for Matt Burns who fractured his moustache and was led away for HIA. As the last quarter began, Weston were searching for a way back in and it came following an excellent Chapman kick to touch which gave the hosts good territory.

Weston secured a rare lineout ball and carried well putting good phases together. From a resulting penalty Weston took the set piece and after more good ball retention skipper Andy Glen crashed over for the score. Chapman added the extras, 12-15 with 18 minutes to play.

However, poor concentration at the restart saw Minehead back on the front foot and they quickly extended the lead to 6 points with an excellent penalty.

Only a converted try would do for the hosts now and it wasn't looking likely with Minehead putting more pressure on with territory inside the Weston half.

With 5 minutes to go though Weston found a bit of magic from inside their own 22. Ball won and moved wide where Mike McCarthy broke the line and raced away.

Great support lines from Ollie Caton and Paul Sprague meant the last man for Minehead had to gamble and McCarthy coolly dummied and raced away to score from 60 metres.

Great Minehead work rate to get back meant that the conversion would not be a formality and Chapman lined up on the 15m.

No pressure then........conversion good Weston leading 19-18 with 4 minutes left.

From the kick off Weston secured the ball and went through a series of pick and goes as they looked to run the clock down. A kick to touch however meant Minehead would get the ball back for the last minute and there would be a little bit of drama to come.

Ollie Trott adjudged to have lifted the Minehead hooker beyond the horizontal, yellow card (harsh) and penalty to Minehead.

Ball kicked into the Weston 22 and from the resulting lineout another penalty awarded. Kick for goal turned down and Minehead went for the corner. Lineout won and an endless number of pick and goes followed met by some excellent Weston defence.

Knock on Minehead, final whistle, Weston pinch it. Minehead will feel that they should've won the game whilst Weston will look to the final 20 minutes as a great platform with which to move on to next week.

This was an improved effort by the United, but still a long way from where we want the group to be.

Andy Glen and Mike Hocking made welcome returns in the pack whilst George Chapman and Ollie Caton continued their good starts to the season.

Stand out performances came from Jacob Cox whose work rate was outstanding, and Ollie Trott who just knicked the man of the match award with a solid all round display.

Weston move on to a visit to Old Reds next week.

Weston United scorers - tries:  R Bennett, A Glen, M McCarthy; cons: G Chapman (2)