Weston Super Mare U14 reach Somerset finals
Mar
Weston U14s (38) v (12) Old Reds U14s
Weston took on Old Reds in this semi final hosted at Nailsea and Backwell Rugby Club. Both teams were full of confidence after recent wins for Weston versus local rivals and Old Reds after successfully winning the plate competition.
Weston won the toss and choose to play down the hill for the first half. Initially both teams took time to settle before Weston forwards produced quick ball and the backs put Davies in for his first try of the afternoon.
Weston looked dangerous every time the ball went wide and good forward work play allowed the space of the wide pitch to be exploited this plus Davies’s explosive running allowed him to score a further two tries and Weston raced to a 19 – 0 lead.
Old Reds battled back in the remainder of the first half and strong forward play coupled with quick passing saw the winger cross in the corner. Halftime shortly followed the score and Old Reds now had the slope advantage.
Old Reds came out the better of the two sides in the second half and quickly pressurised the Weston line and through excellent recycling through the forwards saw them cross the line within a matter of minutes from the restart. They successfully added the conversion and cut the margin of Weston’s lead to 7 points.
Old Reds kept up the pressure on the Weston line and good defending by Weston kept Old reds at bay. Weston then produced the score that seemed to swing the game in their favour. Weston had a scrum on their own five yard line and once the ball was secured Weston’s back launched a counter attack that saw Davies put into space just outside the 25 metre line. Davies’ pace and evasive running then took him to score a length of a pitch try with him scoring under the post. This was Davies’s fourth try of the game and his best.
Weston then took control of the game and added two further scores one by Cope after slick handling by forwards and backs allowed Cope the opportunity to gallop under the posts. Weston’s final came form Hobden – a well worked line out move saw Shelley break for the line and with him able to off load to the supporting runner Hobden who powered over the line.
To Old Reds credit they continued to battle excellent runs being made initially by the full back and then only a cruel bounce depriving the centre of a score after another excellent break and kick through. The game ended with both teams having given their all and the game being played in a good spirit and at a high level of skill.
Weston now go through to the finals to be held at Bath’s Old Rec Ground to be held on Saturday 2nd May 2009.
