The Athletic hosted Coney Hill 3rds this Saturday for a friendly and dignified game of rugby before enjoying the International coverage. The game included a debut for Harvey Steele, the 17 year old used to playing in the front row starting on the wing for the Athletic providing a good account for himself carrying the ball and standing strong in the tackle.

Coney Hill had clearly travelled to Weston for a fun weekend away and evening sampling the delights of Weston nightlife with just a small matter of a friendly game of rugby and the opportunity to make friends with similar like-minded fellows in the Athletic. Coney Hill started with an enthusiastic and chipper 15 with the Athletic electing to receive the kick off. The EPS fumbled and mis-tackled allowing Coney Hill the initiative and gain the first points for an unconverted try, 0 – 5.

The Athletic responded in typical fashion, steady and consistent play marshalling Coney Hill back within their own half. EPS secured the set piece play and were comfortable in the scrum which at times was like wrestling wet elephant seals with their black shits taught over their well protected frames. The increased pressure seeing Chris Young, full back running a clean line to score and covert his try 7 – 5. This score provoked fine and eloquent banter from the Coney Hill side and their coaching staff on the touch line however, this was not fully appreciated by the referee who frequently penalised the team for their jovial outbursts.

The score remained 7 – 5 at half time although the Athletic were clearly in command of the game. Second half commenced with this control being exerted and again the Athletic camped within the Coney Hill half Dave Steele crossing for an unconverted try extending the Athletics lead to 12 – 5. By now Coney Hill were beside themselves expressing joy and could hardly contain their appreciation of the EPS’s style of rugby. It simply couldn’t get any better when slick hand within the backs eventually finding Ford who scored in the corner 17 – 5. The try going unconverted by Young who seemed to have his feet on backwards.

In the closing minutes of the game the Athletic found themselves camped on the Coney Hill 5 metre line with continued infringements by the Coney Hill, penalties being awarded to the Athletic and on each occasion Capt Hill electing for a scrum. Coney Hill however had had enough of this serious stuff and were keen to get into the bar and enjoy the end of the Internationals. The Coney Hill captain extended a welcome hand to the Athletic second row with all the forwards rushing in instantly to greet one another, shake hands and pat each other on the back. This final act of comradeship was too much for the referee who called a halt to the game to join one and all in the bar.

Saturday was a wonderful opportunity to entertain Coney Hill, the only criticism being from the Coney Hill team that they felt the showers were better in prison, how we all laughed.

Weston Athletic: C Young, D Prime, A Larkin, M Leahy, H Steele, D Burns, S Harris, N Lavender, B Hill (Capt), M Matthews, E Hunt, L Noszgay, D Steele, B Lane, D SparksReps used C Ford, R Bishop, D Ayodele