Tribute South West Premier

Launceston 29 Weston-super-Mare 34

Report by Chris Heath

Centre Cameron Maslen marked his 50^th first-team appearance for Weston-super-Mare by scoring two tries as the Seasiders came back from being 26-8 down at half time to take maximum points from their Tribute South West Premier match away to Launceston.

In a game with more twists than an Agatha Christie plot, Weston emerged victorious after 80 minutes of the most enthralling rugby you could ever wish to view and a result that strengthens the Seasiders’ hold on fourth place in the table

The encounter at Polson Bridge produced an incredible six yellow cards, four for Weston and two for the hosts in a game that was not at all niggly. However, this only added to the excitement.

Launceston kicked off down the slope with elements in their favour and were immediately on the attack when Weston knocked on near their posts. The visitors managed to escape this threat and fought their way upfield.

But another knock-on allowed the hosts to kick back down the slope, and Weston could not escape this time with the Launceston prop James McFarlane crossing for the opening try, which was converted by left wing Dan Pearce

They increased their lead five minutes later when hooker Levent Bulut went over from a catch and drive. Weston rallied, and good go forward by number eight Ben Tothill allowed fly-half, James Mackay, to feed Maslen to cross to cut the deficit. 

This seemed to spur the home side to greater efforts, and with Weston hooker Gary Carpenter becoming the first to be carded, Launceston repeated their earlier try with another catch and drive with scrum half Adam Collins dotting down.

Pearce converted that try and McFarlane’s second after when Weston lock Callum Kingscott joined Carpenter in the bin. Things were looking bleak for the visitors now three converted tries behind, but a penalty on the stroke of half-time kicked by Mackay proved to be a morale booster.

The second period began with a mountain to climb for Weston, but only three minutes in after Bristol Bears Senior Academy back row Macenzzie Duncan had replaced Jacob Cox, Weston won a scrum against the head, which eventually led to outstanding prop Sam Coles crashing over. Mackay converted, and the great comeback was on.

Weston piled the pressure on, and the hosts defended well until a wayward kick out of the twenty-two metre area was fielded well by full-back Chris Young whose mini-break allowed Maslen to go over for his second. 

Mackay again converted to reduce the deficit to only four points. The visitors' tails were now well and truly up, and they soon took the lead after a long left to right pass by Mackay saw wing Huw Morgan gather to cross wide out. 

Weston now had a one-point advantage, and the visiting supporters were now in fine voice, which became even louder when the try of the match and perhaps the season happened. Another period of pressure by the forwards allowed Mackay to put Tom Sugg through the tightest of gaps. 

With the skipper at full throttle, he timed his pass to Bristol Bears Senior Academy’s Dylan Power to perfection. The centre gleefully dived over under the sticks to make Mackay's conversion a simple one. 

Weston were now eight points clear but Weston being Weston, always like to make things exciting. Maslen became the third Weston player to be yellowed for a deliberate knock-on, and Launceston cut the lead to five with a Pearce penalty.

In the last minute, Duncan became the final Weston player to be carded and with Weston back to thirteen again, and only a mammoth effort kept Launceston from crossing the line. 

Time after time, last-ditch tackling stopped the hosts in their tracks, and eventually, Weston managed to hold the ball up, which resulted in the referee blowing his whistle to end a fantastic game of rugby.

Launceston scorers – tries: James McFarlane (2), Levent Bulut, Adam Collins; cons: Dan Pearce (3); pen: Dan Pearce.

Weston-super-Mare scorers – tries: Callum Maslen (2), Sam Coles, Huw Morgan, Dylan Power; cons: James Mackay (3) pen: James Mackay; yellow cards: Gary Carpenter (26 min), Callum Kingscott (32 min), Callum Maslen (71 min), Macenzzie Duncan (79 min).