Somerset Cup - First Round

Hornets nil  Weston-super-Mare 33

WESTON scored five tries without reply in the first round of the Somerset Cup at Hutton Moor and with James Mackay converting four of them, the Seasiders ran out comfortable winners.

Harry Warman's late shoulder charge on Hornets' Sam Lloyd-Jones in the opening exchanges put Weston in trouble and for the next seven minutes, their defence was on full alert.

A penalty relieved the situation but it was not until the 17th minute that they went ahead. A powerful surge by Ed Smith was supported by Ross Bennett and Ashley Russell was on hand to stretch over the line.

Mackay converted and the young fly-half was soon making the crucial break for Paul Sprague's try and converting it from the touchline. Hornets' scrum-half Jamie Dibble then brought the home supporters to their feet with a fine break but Lloyd-Jones was unable to convert a 30 metre penalty.

The hosts were still attacking through Chris Disney and skipper Paul Morrissey but Weston scored importantly in first half stoppage time when Daniel Fry's long break gave a try to Chris Crichton.

Ten minutes into the second half the score went to 26-0 with Russell's second try which Mackay converted but Hornets improved after they had changed their front row, and Disney was unlucky at the left corner.

But Weston were now using the wind to good effect and Mike Kempton's clean catch at an attacking line-out saw skipper Dave Burge dive over. Mackay's fourth conversion followed but with 20 minutes remaining the visitors were unable to add to their total.

During the final quarter, Hornets were obtaining much more possession and there were strong thrusts by centres Marshall and Vaughan but Weston's defence was not to be breached.

Hornets: B Hooper, J Kingman, M Vaughan, I Marshall, J Ferguson, S Lloyd-Jones, J Dibble, S Donegan, C Withers, N Chenoweth, J Fereday, G Speller, C Disney, D Taylor-Menzies, P Morrissey (capt). Reps: J Gould, J Fillingham, N Wash, B Diver, C Dodd, J Simmons.

Weston-super-Mare: H Warman, C Crichton, G Britton, D Sanft, P Sprague, J Mackay, R Bennett, D Price, D Burge (capt), S Williams, M Kempton, A Russell, E Smith, G Sparks, D Fry. Reps used: J Gallagher, T Main, D Steele, R Drabble, J Arnold. Not used: N Lavender.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Paul Sprague, Ash Russell (2), Dave Burge, Chris Crichton; cons: James Mackay (4)

Match Photos