Tribute Somerset Premier

Weston United 54 Avon 19

Weston entertained Avon on Saturday at the Rec, looking to find a performance having struggled in their opening three matches to date.

Bryan Webb took the armband this week with the book closing on him odds on for the first yellow and the United welcomed debutant Kyran Marshall into the group for his first opportunity.

Avon arrived with a few missing, but having studied video footage of Weston's performance at Old Reds the week before, were in confident mood and that's exactly how they started.

Avon were on the front foot carrying hard from the breakdowns and Weston were standing off. 4 minutes in and "Avon calling". Try under the sticks after a series of bulldozing pick and goes. Conversion added 7-0.

Much of the same from the re-start Avon back inside the Weston 22 and the visitors looking for a spark. Nothing until 10 minutes when prop Rich Ford made an excellent tackle in midfield which seemed to wake up the Weston players.

Weston now getting their hands on the ball and moving it wide, which was to prove their key for the remainder of the day. Troy Hannam first to cross after good hands in the midfield and George Chapman added the extras. 7-7.

Weston ready to go again. Brief halt whilst Sol Ward jet sprayed the pitch with a mixture of fluids and no doubt a protein packed pre match scoff replaced by Jake Whatley, and Weston now on top.

In roads made again before the ball moved to the blindside where flanker Jack Woodland was taken off the ball and, despite gathering it anyway and scoring, the ref went under the sticks for a 7 pointer. Yellow card administered, Weston up 14-7.

Punters throwing away their betting slips with Webb still on the pitch. Weston were now looking very dangerous and on 24 minutes scored an excellent training ground move off first phase ball to see winger Mike McCarthy scoot away under the posts. Chapman inevitably converted. 21-7.

From the restart Weston went again, moving the ball wide after a great call from centre Ollie Catton, and away they went. Great hands, great support, great try (Caton completing the sequence) and Weston had secured a bonus point leading 28-7.

Time to keep the pressure on, but instead Weston relaxed a little and Avon took full advantage coming back strongly into the game. 33 minutes gone and they crashed over for their second try under the sticks.

Conversion somehow went wide and Weston looked to respond before the break. This they managed once again by moving the ball wide and full back Ross Bennett put his foot on the accelerator to outpace the defence and score. Chapman on target once again and on half time Weston led 35-12.

Second half under way and things a little scrappy. Weston being dragged into a carrying competition which Avon were winning, but out wide Weston always looked dangerous.

Jack Woodland on the score sheet after 47 minutes showing outstanding pace to tear through and score and with Chapman......missing?????? Weston led 42-12.

Fifty minutes gone, Mike McCarthy crossed for his second following a beautiful offload from Troy Hannam (paid me to put that bit in) and Chapman added to see Weston now 47-12 up.

Billy Kirk and Kyran Marshall made their entrances from the bench and then back came Avon.

Lots of pressure inside the Weston 22 and Bryan Webb adjudged to have gone off his feet. Yellow card and punters now frantically trying to find their betting slips incase they had him each way.

Avon kept on the pressure and they deservedly scored a third following a strong period of work close to the hosts line. Conversion good 47-19.

Still 10 minutes to go and Weston a bit twitchy about conceding another and allowing Avon to leave with a bonus point.

Not helped by another yellow, this time to Ross Bennett who decided to stand in the opposition back line and knock the ball down.

However some very good defence resulted in Weston having the final word when Jack Woodland collected from Kyran Marshall following another good period of play out wide to score his second and Weston's eighth. Chapman converted and Weston were home 54-19.

Weston will take a lot from this performance. Still lots to work on, but the 20 minutes in the first half was very good indeed.

Standard has been set!

Avon proved very resilient and I'm sure will be looking forward to the return fixture whilst Weston move onto Bridgwater next week.

Very good performances this week from Jack Woodland and Sam Fisher in the pack, with George Chapman and Matt Watkins impressing in the backline.

Man of the match was Rich Ford who had an outstanding all round performance.

Finally thank you to Dan Lomax and Mike Bennet who turned up and ran the water for the players. #ownership

Weston United scorers - tries: Troy Hannam, Mike McCarthy (2), Ollie Caton, Ross Bennett, Jack Woodland (2), pen try; cons: George Chapman (6), pen try con; yellow cards: Bryan Webb (61 min), Ross Bennett (71 min)