Weston-super-Mare RFC

report by Chris Heath

It was always going to be a difficult challenge facing the unbeaten students but in the end victory was denied by an astonishing turn of events.

Things didn’t start well for the visitors when a missed touch in the fourth minute led to Exeter’s impressive left wing going on a great run which following a quick recycle ended with the hosts going under the sticks for an early converted score.

Weston hit back five minutes later when a pinpoint kick by fly half James Mackay led to a catch and drive from a line out and centre Cameron Maslen almost crossed. However the home side had infringed and Weston elected to scrum.

A decision that proved to be an excellent choice as number eight and captain Tom Sugg touched down from a pushover. Mackay converted but the score did not stay even for long as once again the dangerous left wing got on the scoresheet himself with a well taken converted effort.

Weston hit back when Sugg had picked up from a scrum Mackay was on hand to feed left wing Joe Burgess who had come in from his wing to go over under the posts making Mackay’s conversion an easy one.

Weston were right in the game and a lovely show and go by Mackay ended with Burgess almost doubling his tally only to be hauled down just short. However Weston did take the lead for the first and only time just after the half hour when another catch and drive resulted in the two centres Maslen and Huw Morgan combining to put scrum half JJ Williams over with Mackay again adding the extras.

The lead didn’t last long however with the students hitting back with two converted tries just shy of the break both after Wsston had dithered for the first and then weren’t quick enough to spot the danger from a quick tap.

After being right in the game Weston needed half time to regroup but knew they were only seven points in arrears. In the forty fifth minute Exeter scored an unconverted try and it looked as though the game was slipping away from Weston but they regrouped and with their dominant pack fired up hit back with a pounding of the home line which eventually bore fruit with Burgess crossing for his second.

Mackay missed the conversion but Weston’s dander was well and truly up and Exeter were giving away one penalty after another defending their line which ended with them receiving a yellow card and the visitors a penalty try. Exeter increased their lead with a penalty five minutes from time but then started infringing again because they couldn’t cope with Weston’s dominance in the scrum.

Exeter received a second yellow and although the carded player was replaced by a prop the Exeter coach who had spent all afternoon running up and down the line with water bottles a la Rassie Erasmus declared that the prop couldn’t play loose head and that uncontested scrums would convene.

The referee who to be fair had had a very good game up until then agreed and so an uncontested scrum ensued but Weston couldn’t get across the home line to secure a point victory and eventually gave away a penalty which Exeter gleefully kicked off the park to secure a somewhat hollow win.

Weston do however have some reward for their endeavours with two losing bonus points.