Old Patesians 10 - Weston 17
Mar
Weston avenged their home defeat back in September in a hard working win against a traditionally robust side which on this occasion was somewhat flattered by the final score.
The visitors tried to play the rugby. The home side relied on a forwarded based strategy which foundered, for the most part, on excellent defence by Weston. Perversely, the referee did not seem to appreciate that it was the visitors who were by far the more creative and punished them incessantly, relieving the pressure on the Old Pats many times. A first half penalty count of twelve to one says it all!
Weston had the benefit of the slope for the first half and scored after fifteen minutes when T.J.Madamombe made a fine midfield break which was carried on by Paul Sprague and Kevin Hobbs for Tobias Gukibau to have a clear run in from twenty yards. Armstrong converted but a 7-0 lead at half time did not seem fair reward for Weston’s’ enterprise and dominance.
The lead was doubled shortly after the restart. Enterprising play from deep in their own half, with Gukibau, Richards, Hobbs, Sparks and Madamombe prominent, took play to the Pats line where the pack won quick ball for the evergreen Neil Coleman, who enjoyed a splendid match, to touch down. Armstrong converted again.
Unfortunately Weston went to sleep on the restart and poor tackling allowed the home team to respond immediately with an unconverted corner try by their left winger. The visitors increased their lead to 17-5 with an Armstrong penalty, and following some fifteen minutes of antirational rugby with no side gaining the upper hand, Old Pats had the last word with a try from a 5 metre lineout in the dying seconds of the match.
Weston team…Harry Warman (Chris Young 20 mins.), Matt Burns, Tom Gilmour, T.J.Madamombe, Paul Sprague, Mark Armstrong, Neil Coleman, Tobias Gukibau, David Burge, Ed Hunt, Andy Richards, Andy Ball, Will Tuitupou, Kevin Hobbs, George Sparks. Reps. Not used Mark Matthews, Alex Babbington.
