Sat 26 Feb 2022, 14:30
Webb Ellis Somerset County Senior Cup – Quarter-final
Weston-super-Mare 60 University of Bath 5
Report by Chris Heath
Hooker Aaron Thompson marked his home debut for Weston-super-Mare by scoring a try with fellow Bristol Bears Academy No.8 Macenzzie Duncan grabbing a brace as the Seasiders ran in nine tries against the University of Bath to comfortably progress to the semi-finals of the Webb Ellis Somerset County Senior Cup.
Ollie Walrond scoring one of his two tries in the Cup tie against the University of Bath. Photo credit: Weston Rugby/Andrew Collins
In a game in which there was plenty of fine running rugby, Weston took the lead in the fifth minute when after lots of hands, full-back Jack Curtis stepped in and out before offloading to fly-half James Mackay to open the scoring.
The University hit back with a well-taken try by full-back Zach Rodber which proved their only points. Scrum-half Ross Bennett stole the ball at a scrum and gained a penalty which Mackay converted.
Weston then scored a superb try when thrusts by Duncan, and Thompson ended with Mackay offloading to right wing Ollie Walrond to cross for a try converted by Mackay. Weston added points after a break by Walrond, which was carried on by left wing Joe Burgess, who cut in and passed to Ash Russell.
The second row slowed and pivoted with a lovely switch back to Burgess, which created a two on one allowing centre Chris Young to cross wide out. Another fine set of hands ended with Walrond going over for his second. Mackay again converted for a 27-5 advantage at the break.
The second half dished up more excellent fare. The impressive Bennett was on the end of a superb break by flanker Jack Woodland and great hands by Young. Mackay converted but failed with the next one after the excellent Thompson handed off and went over.
Following this score, Dan Beer and Hayden Main came on for their well-deserved first-team debuts, with Main nearly scored with his first touch. However, further scores were just around the corner when Duncan touched down after a powerful scrum, and it was the No.8 who was again on the end after thrusts by Thompson and Bennett.
Young kicked the conversion. The final score came when another Duncan break ended with replacement flanker Ben Cox rounding off the scoring. It was a thoroughly entertaining afternoon in which every member of the large squad was used, and all played their part.
Weston-super-Mare: Jack Curtis: Ollie Walrond, Cameron Maslen, Chris Young, Joe Burgess; James Mackay, Ross Bennett; Ross Bennett; Charley Kerarns, Aaron Thompson, Tom Wheatley, Tom Sugg (capt), Ash Russell, Ben Tothill, Jack Woodland, Macenzzie Duncan. Reps: Adam Fisher, Sam Coles, Sol Ward, Ben Cox, Hayden Main, Dan Beer, Mike McCarthy.
University of Bath: Zach Rodber; James Pavey, Ethan Hawton, Will Kenneugh, Cam Ritchie; Ed Sheperton, Ioan Lewis; Angus Smith, Luke Harrison, Harhad Fayaz, Jack Williams, Luke Cassidy, Cassius Foreshaw, Lachie McGrigor, George Malone. Reps: George Holroyd, Darcy Merchant-Hill, Zac Hume, Ali Finch, Fraser Falzon, Archie Friend, Gabe Mault.
Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: James Mackay, Ollie Walrond (2), Chris Young, Ross Bennett, Aaron Thompson, Macenzzie Duncan (2), Ben Cox; cons: James Mackay (4), Chris Young (2); pen: James Mackay.
University of Bath scorer – try: Zach Rodber.
