Sat 4 Dec 2021
Tribute South West Premier - Weston-super-Mare 43 Royal Wootton Bassett 7
A hat trick of tries by mercurial right wing Chris Young for the Seasiders in a game which also saw fly-half James Mackay overtake former captain Paul Tincknell’s points tally to move into second place in the all-time points scoring list. Only club legend Robbie Hazzard still heads him.
Weston started the game superbly with a mesmerising passage of play from inside their twenty-metre area. It began with a break by flanker Jack Woodland and ended after involving several players, with Young crossing to open the scoring.
Impressive full-back Jack Curtis then increased the lead with a tremendous weaving run to the line, with Mackay providing the extras. Wotton then had a period of play in which they drove their way to the home line, but Weston's excellent defence held.
Mackay then put Woodland away, and the open side galloped away to outpace the covering defence with a fine try, Mackay again adding the extras. Weston were now in control, and Young added to his tally when he danced his way to the line.
Mackay again converted to end the scoring for the first period with a 26-nil advantage and a try-scoring bonus point in the bag.
The second half was ten minutes old when outstanding prop Sam Coles had to leave the field with a hand injury, and Rich Ford replaced him.
This change did not upset the home side, and when Young broke lock Ash Russell was on hand to give Tothill a run up the right-hand touchline, which he took with aplomb scoring in the corner.
Mackay reached his milestone with this expertly taken conversion. A double change then took place with returning lock Callum Kingscott who applied himself well on his comeback, along with centre Huw Morgan being replaced by Ben Cox and Dan Lomax.
The Royals hit back through a converted interception try before another break by captain Tom Sugg allowed Lomax to put Curtis away for another eye-catching effort. The scoring was ended when Sugg found young scrum-half Jack Press and his break put Curtis away.
The full-back put Young away for his third try, which Mackay fittingly converted from wide out to put the icing on the cake and five valuable league points to take the Seasiders into fourth place in the Tribute South West Premier table.
The forwards as a unit were once again a dominant force, with hooker Josh Mynett particularly catching the eye with his accuracy at the line out and his all-round play. Ollie Streeter and lock Ash Russell put in their usual high-class shifts.
The back row was once again a dynamic unit but perhaps more pleasing was the form of the backs who have improved markedly as a unit since the start of the season.
As this was the first-ever meeting between the club’s 1stXV, however Royal Wootton Bassett have played Weston United in the past. Weston-super-Mare RFC Trustee Rod Croker presented Royal Wootton Bassett President Mark Wightman with a plaque for their clubhouse.
The two sides meet again at the Ballards Ash Sports Ground on Saturday, April 2, 2022
This Saturday, Weston travel a mile down the road to play unbeaten top of the table neighbours Hornets in what should be a thrilling encounter, kick-off 3 pm.
Weston-super-Mare scorers – tries: Jack Curtis (2), Chris Young (3), Ben Tothill, Jack Woodland; cons: James Mackay (4)
