Club captain Charlie Brabham will make his 50th first-team appearance for Weston-super-Mare in the Regional Two Tribute Ale South West champions look to complete the season unbeaten when they host Crediton, kick-off 3 pm.
Weston took maximum points from the season’s opener at Crediton in the 28-24 victory thanks to three tries from Hayden Main and one for Ross Chesher, while Archie Tilsey added three conversions and George Nuttycombe one.
Alex Howman returns at outside centre for Weston-super-Mare, Cam Maslen moves to the bench, Adam Fisher deputises for Gary Carpenter at hooker, with Ieuan John at tighthead prop after missing the 34-27 win at Tiverton due to injury.
Fifth-placed Crediton, fighting for a place in the promotion play-offs, have made several changes from the side that won 47-23 at home to relegation-threatened Cullompton last time out.
This season, with the introduction of a new promotion pathway, teams finishing 2nd to 5th (Tiverton 88), Wadebridge Camels (72), Okehampton (69), and Crediton (64) enter playoffs for the chance to face the Regional 2 Severn playoff winners.
To be certain of a play-off place, Crediton need at least three league points from Saturday’s game, irrespective of the result of the match between seventh-placed Winscombe (60) at home to sixth-placed Ivybridge (61).
Skipper Ben Wonnacott moves from No.8 to inside centre with Joe Dodge starting on the wing. Harry Gulley is the hooker, Ben Harris is promoted from the bench to blindside flanker, Matt Arnold moves to blindside flanker and Jake Clarke to No.8.
Weston-super-Mare (home v Crediton, 3 pm): Chris Young; Keanu BWeston-super-Mare (home v Crediton, 3 pm):allard, Alex Howman, Marcus Nel, Hayden Main; George Nuttycombe, Jack Press; Charlie Brabham (capt), Adam Fisher, Ieuan John, Tom Sugg, George Talbot, Jacob Simpson, Jacob Cox, Nasili Ikahihifo. Reps: Maison Turner, Robson Bird, Cam Maslen.
Crediton: Freddie Borthen; Charlie Cookson, Josh Goldman, Ben Wonnacott (capt), Joe Dodge; Josh Davey, Ed Brady; Rob Leach, Harry Gulley, Tom Luxmoore, Will Crang, Josh Pearce, Ben Harris, Matt Arnold, Jake Clarke. Reps: Will Conner, Tom Mortimer, Charlie Conner.
Referee: Rhys Cleary.
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While the Weston 1stXV are heading into their final league game of the season, Weston United still have four Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset South matches remaining, starting with Saturday’s trip to face Chard 2ndXV, kick-off 3 pm.
The hosts are sixth in the table on 38 points from 18 games, while United, looking for their sixth win in a row, is third with 66 points from 16 games, with Tor and Wells both on 71 points from 18 and 15 games, respectively.
When Chard 2ndXV were at the Rec in mid-December, the United ran in 14 tries to win 88-7. Chris Young bagged a 23-point haul with a try and eight conversions, with two tries each for Tom Blyth, Harry Jones, Dan Beer and Ross Chesher.
Weston United (away v Chard 2ndXV, 3 pm): Josh Cooke; Nick Hawkens, Marc Prime, Tom Burge, David Steele; Darren Burns, Charlie Beal; Charlie Owens, Dave Bird, Sam Light, Ross Chesher, Vinnie Jones, Rhodri Williams (capt), Billy Kirk, Bradley Hebbard. Reps: Simon Hudson, Clayton Dorrington, Mike Powell, Dan Prime.
Referee: Sarah McClelland; Referee Advisor: Brian Perry
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Fifth-placed Weston Athletic will be hoping to end a run of three Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset South defeats when they host Morganians, who are 20 points above them in third place, both with three games to play. Kick-off is at 2.30 pm.
Weston Athletic (home v Morganians, 2.30 pm): Shaun Brooks; Andy Grinham, Jason Owen, Dom Hawkins, Kieran Van Rassel; Rich Frost, Clayton Dorrington; Stephen Donegan, Lucas Williamson, Ryan Donegan, Rhys Matthews, Edd Goode, Harry Nash, James Hughes, Rich Bishop (capt). Reps: Grahame Hill, Louis Banks, Aarik Workman, John Fleming.
Referee: Dr Matthew Hennessy; Referee Mentor: Alan Bell
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Weston Colts’ scheduled home game on Sunday has been cancelled.
