Sat 12 Nov 2016, 14:30
Weston-super-Mare 20 University of Bath 17
Saturday, November 18, 2016
Somerset Cup Semi-Final
BY PETE SLOMAN
An excellent second half fightback sees the home side to victory
Weston welcomed Bath University to the Rec for this Somerset Cup quarter final match.
Weston, playing in their change strip of red and white hoops were on the back foot from the kick off as the students attacked with speed and strength. They set up a series of forward drives and flanker Barry crashed over with just two minute gone.
The try was converted and Weston found themselves defending again for the next 15 minutes as the students dominated possession and played with speed and energy. In a carbon copy of their first try the students scored again through their forwards and with the converted try took a commanding 14-0 lead with only 20 minutes gone.
Weston began to get back into the game and were awarded a penalty. Chapman's kick hit the upright and flanker Johnson gathered the rebound and set up a further attack.
Weston managed to maintain better momentum and with just 10 minutes of the first half remaining finally got on the scoreboard with a Chapman penalty, but in time added on at the end of the half the students added a penalty of their own and the half ended with Weston looking as though they would lose their unbeaten record this season.
However, just like in their last outing, Weston came out for the second half with renewed energy and played very much better. From the kick off they were on the attack, and after just three minutes a well worked back move saw Ollie Caton run a great line clean through the students defence. The conversion by Chapman brought Weston back into contention.
The forwards looked after the ball,and used their possession in an exciting mix of forward drives and back moves out wide. But it was the forwards who were to decide the outcome of this game and the students handed Weston an advantage when their loose head prop was yellow carded for persistent infringement at the ruck.
Chris Leigh, making his first appearance for Weston, was held up over the line and Weston almost scored from the resultant scrum. Weston's forwards were now in control and after a series of pick and go drives, debutant Ramaz Rukhadze drove over from short range to score Weston's second try in the corner.
Chapman's conversion from the touchline brought a cheer of relief from the spectators and set up an exciting final quarter with the scores at 17 each.
Weston remained in control and attacked relentlessly. With just 3 minutes of normal time remaining the students gave away a penalty and Chapman coolly slotted the kick for Weston to take the lead for the first time. Weston attacked again but the students won possession and as the game went into injury time they ran the ball and kept possession through numerous moves and successfully recycled the ball.
Weston's resolve held and eventually Spelman, who had had another fine game, got the turn over and skipper Chris Young was on hand to kick the ball into touch. The ref blew for "no side" and Weston had just secured victory in what had been a very exciting match.
Weston had awarded first team debuts to four players, Rukhadze and Leigh in the forwards and Marcus Nel, and Dan Prime in the backs. The students for their part had provided very good opposition and played with great speed and skills throughout this keenly contested and very sporting encounter.
Weston-super-Mare: George Chapman; Chris Young, Huw Morgan, Marcus Nel, Ollie Caton; Dan Lomax, Ollie Trott; Jake Whatley, David Bird, Thomas Hocking, Callum Kingscott, Ash Russell, Daniel Spelman, Richard Johnson, Paul Morrissey
Reps: Richard Ford, Ramaz Rukhadze, Chris Leigh, Glenn Dickson, Robbie Mackay, Dan Prime.
Weston-super-Mare scorers – tries: Ollie Caton, Ramaz Rukhadze; cons: George Chapman (2); pens: George Chapman (2).
