Sat 1 Apr 2006
Weston-super-Mare 15 Clifton 24
A TRY by Clifton after only 90 seconds sent Weston on their way to their third consecutive league defeat, and out of contention for a promotion play-off.
This was another disappointing performance by the Seasiders, who did not come to life until the second half which they won by 12 points to six, but by then it was too late as they had consistently conceded penalties to add to the poor display at the line-out, and the defence, which gave Clifton both their tries from set scrums.
The first of these came after Weston had knocked-on on the half-way line; an 8/9 move sent Rob Viol through, and he was allowed to run in from 45 metres.
John Barnes converted, but James Reid replied with a 46-metre penalty before two similar scores by Barnes took him past a career total of 1000 league points.
Then, in the 39th minute, the visitors stretched the interval score to 18-3 when Viol was again in the line to give Andy Bell the easiest of tries.
Bell was almost in again seven minutes after the break, but an important piece of covering by Goran Vucicevic saved the try.
And it was Vucicevic's counter attack from inside his own 22 which, with a little help from David Burge, set up a try for Paul Sprague.
By then, Barnes had kicked his third penalty, but the introduction of Chris Rowland to Weston's back row added some impetus and despite another Barnes' penalty, the hosts finished the stronger.
Kevin Hobbs' try with 10 minutes remaining was similar to his score at Cribbs Causeway in February, but unlike on that occasion, it was not enough to save his team from defeat.
Weston: M Lowis; G Vucicevic, M McQuaid, T J Madamombe, P Sprague; J Reid, R Jones (A Hughes 67); A Chase, D Burge, C Derrick (T Mathias 42), A Russell, C Chasee, K Hobbs, M Denbee, D Cook (C Rowland 52).Yellow card: Reid.
