Weston RFC: Another three tries from Main as Weston record back-to-back wins

Weston-super-Mare ran in eight tries to take maximum points against newly promoted Penzance & Newlyn, with wing Hayden Main claiming a hat-trick of tries for the second game in a row.

The home side had secured the try-scoring bonus point within the opening 25 minutes and had a commanding 35-7 half-time lead, but the Cornishmen rallied in the second period for a try-scoring bonus point of their own.

Weston attacked from the start, and after some great play by forwards and backs, fly-half Archie Tilsley dummied and crossed under the sticks to make his conversion an easy one for a seven-point lead in no time at all.

The hosts looked hungry for more, and after centre Cam Maslen excelled in gathering a high ball from Tilsley, Weston earned a penalty, which resulted in Main taking an inside pass from Tilsley to also go under the sticks. Tilsley added the conversion before the visitors missed the chance of troubling the scoreboard when their penalty attempt from in front of the uprights barely got off the ground.

Weston's defence at this time was of the highest order, and they again earned a penalty off the back of it, which was kicked to the corner. Second row Ashley Russell took the lineout ball and hooker Adam Fisher was on hand to score.

Tilsley expertly added the extras from out wide on the right, but he needed the help of one of the uprights for his next conversion, from the left touchline, to be successful for Weston’s fourth try of the game.

It started with centre Marcus Nel making the initial break and eventually full back Alex Howman straightened the line before passing to centre Cam Maslen who combined with flanker Jacob Cox to put Main away for his second.

Weston were looking tremendously impressive and when Nel put right wing Keanu Ballard away for a scintillating score involving standing up three defenders and ghosting under the posts for Tilsley to add a simple two points.

With Nel prostrate on the floor, Penzance & Newlyn made a good break, and only a last-ditch tap tackle by Howman prevented them from opening their account, but that was to come close to half-time.

It was a well taken try from scrum half Sam Cahill before he added a fine conversion to send the visitors into the break with the knowledge that they were capable of competing at this higher level. Playing into a stiff breeze after the restart, Weston scored the opening try when

benefitted from Fisher’s strong run to convert his own try. The visitors hit back with another well taken try out wide from full back Ben Wragg. Penzance and Newlyn now had their tails up, but superb defence kept them at bay.

After superb pressure by the forwards, Main went over near the posts to complete his hat-trick. Replacement fly-half George Nuttycombe converted. Another superb break by Fisher aided by the impressive prop Will Bamsey provided excellent entertainment. Bamsey was not too disheartened by being denied and crossed the whitewash after being put away by skipper Charlie Brabham. Nuttycombe again added the extras. With scrum half Ryan Watterston directing play,

Weston were looking their most impressive for years, with their defence almost as impressive as their attack. However, a lucky bounce and brush off a couple of would-be tacklers enabled Penzance & Newlyn centre Joshua Semmens to score under the posts and Cahill add the extras.

The visitors finally had their tails up and looked to have scored their fourth but a forward pass thwarted them. Weston, however, had infringed, but a try-saving tackle by Cox prevented a further try.

They then looked to have scored again after taking one against the head on Weston's line. Eventually, their pressure told when wing Jack Keogh scored their bonus point try, which Cahill again converted. Penzance & Newlyn scored again near the end with Cahill’s second try of the game to make the scoreline more respectable, but Weston were worthy winners. Fisher’s all-round performance just pipped flanker Cox for the Man of the Match award.

Weston-super-Mare travel next Saturday (September 20) to face Cullompton, who are still looking for their first win of the season but will be mindful that they beat their visitors in last season’s Papa Johns Cup.

Weston United ran in nine tries on Friday night in their 57-21 home Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset South win over Bridgwater & Albion 2ndXV in a match that had to be switched away from College Way.

Right wing Oli Marshall and hooker Charlie Owens both claimed two tries for Weston United, with one each from left wing Tom Blyth, flankers Rhodri Williams and Matt James, outside centre Ky Pearce and full back Chris Young. Fly-half Kieran Hill and inside centre Dan Beer both kicked three conversions as Weston United took maximum points after the disappointment of a 39-19 home to Wells seven days earlier.

The Athletic side made it three wins out of three for the Weston-super-Mare club with their 41-19 bonus point victory over Wincanton with wing Brigham Beckett claiming two of the home side’s seven tries.

The other Athletic players crossing the whitewash were Matt Burns, Chris Ashworth, Tom Blyth, Charlie Beal and Tee Masilela, while Rhys Williamson added two conversions and Joshua Cooke one. There were 24 tries across the three senior sides and their U16s added another five in their 29-nil home victory over Bath U16s.