Sun 2 Jan 2011, 14:30
Somerset Cup last 16
Weston-super-Mare 84 Frome nil
FROME were completely overwhelmed at the Rec last Sunday as Weston ran in 14 tries without reply in this Somerset Cup quarter-final.
The visitors were severely inconvenienced before the start having arrived with no front row replacements, but sensible refereeing by Somerset Society official Paul Box allowed the hosts to ‘lend’ three props, Luke Grimes, Steve Donegan and Darren Doughty to avoid both possible injury and uncontested scrums.
Weston were out of sight by the interval at 38-0 and they had started strongly, acting skipper Andrew Glen having been twice held up on the line.
But their opening score was not long in arriving, Ashley Russell’s clean catch at a line-out leading to a try by Ed Hunt. Kirk Middlemiss converted and then added a try of his own.
Paul Sprague was next to score on the half hour following good work by Middlemiss and Paul O’Connor, the Sprague made the running for Sean Bennett’s try.
Before the break flankers Jamie Rudkin and Richard Bignell had touched down, Middlemiss adding his fourth conversion.
The second half was of a similar pattern with No 8 Glen adding a brace, and by the 48th minute, O’Connor was in the act to take the Weston total to 53.
The final try was touched down by replacement wing Matthew Burns, Middlemiss adding the goal points for a personal tally of 24 points.
Although heavily defeated, Frome should be congratulated for honouring the fixture in view of their serious pre-match problems. Under similar circumstances there are a few clubs which may have decided to stay at home.
Weston-super-Mare: Joe Waterman; Paul O'Connor, Kirk Middlemiss, Sean Bennett, Paul Sprague (Matt Burns, 60); Dewey Swartbool, Ross Bennett (Ollie Trott, 64); Steve Donegan (Simon Williams, ht), Craig Withers, Ed Hunt (Darren Doughty, 20, David Swann, ht), Andy Richards, Ash Russell (Stuart Board, 60), Jamie Rudkin (George Wright, 64), Rich Bignell, Andy Glen (capt).
Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Ed Hunt, Kirk Middlemiss (2), Paul Sprague (2), Sean Bennett, Jamie Rudkin, Rich Bignell (2), Andy Glen (2), Paul O'Connor (2), Matt Burns; cons: Kirk Middlemiss (7)
