WESTON SUPER MARE 32 LAUNCESTON 13
report by Chris Heath
Weston went to the top of South West Premier with a hard fought victory over Launceston also known as the Cornish All Blacks.
In difficult conditions Weston started the game with the elements in their favour and after ten minutes took the lead when right wing Alex Howman found his way over to the left flank to finish off a sweeping fifteen man move.
Fly half Dan Lomax added the extras with a fine kick from wide out. Launceston cut the lead with a penalty but the hosts added to their lead soon after when scrum half Ross Bennett was on hand to benefit from number eight Brad Talbot’s break from a scrum.
The visitors then had their best spell of the match but heroic defence kept them at bay led by the tackling and work rate of flankers Jacob Cox and Ben Tothill. Weston eventually infringed once too often and the All Blacks cut the lead to six.
Lomax however increased the lead to nine by half time with a well taken penalty.
The second half saw Weston turn the screw and following disruption at a Launceston scrum Tothill’s brilliant tackle on the oppositions scrum half allowed veteran lock Ash Russell to gallop over. Lomax converted but couldn’t repeat the feat when Talbot tapped and went over.
The visitors cut the lead with a converted try but Weston had the last laugh when centre Cameron Maslen was on hand to benefit from yet another Talbot break.
As well as the back row who were immense throughout replacement lock Tom Sugg who came on for the injured Dan Spelman near half time was quite outstanding.
Bennett and Lomax played the conditions well and Russell was his usual workhorse self and full back Robbie Mackay always looked dangerous.
Weston now have a weekend off before travelling to Maidenhead on the ninth of November which could prove to be a very important game.
