Old Patesians – 48
Weston-Super-Mare – 12
Referee – Shane Lewis (Somerset)
Old Patesians comprehensively thrashed visitors Weston-Super-Mare in their National 3South West encounter. On a blisteringly hot afternoon, Old Pats started by kicking down the Everest Road slope and immediately had the sea-siders under the cosh. They stole the first Weston line-out and then cruelly ruptured the visitors scrum at the first set piece.
The early pressure soon paid off when Pats openside flanker Jake Kitsen poached the ball from another woeful Weston line-out and centre Barney Pascall rounded odd a sweeping move with a stunning try.
The pats three-quarters were almost arrogant with their near faultless catching and passing of their obviously well rehearsed training moves, and were delightful to watch. centre’s Ben Davies and Pascall were taking the ball at pace and this allowing their flying wingers Henry Bird and Steve Bryant acres of space on the wings.
When Weston did scramble some scraps of possession from broken play they Pats loose forwards were so quick to the breakdown there was no chance for them to build any sort of attacking platform.
Weston were forced to concede penalties to stop the rot time and time again. The impressive boot of Pats skipper Adam Seager punished their indiscretions with probing touch kicks. A clinical catch and drive from a penalty line-out allowed scrum half Darren Moore plenty of time to scamper over the line for a second try.
Weston had no answer to the far superior power and pace of the Pats, and when prop forward Simon Brown broke free from a driving maul he delicately offloaded to Kitson fir a try on his debut appearance. Seager converted and the Weston faithful who traveled in hope were desolate as their team was overwhelmed in all phases.
The weather was taking its toll. So hot was the day the water bottles were almost empty on both sides before the game entered its second quarter, but their was no respite to be found for Weston.
Before the half closed Bird collected from deep and this genuine speedster danced around numerous would be tackles before passing to Bryant who crashed over superb try. Seager converted and pats led by 24 to nil at the break, and had already picked up the vital bonus point for scoring 4 tries.
The second half was only a few minutes old when Pats no 8 James Baker recruited from Coney Hill, excellently palmed the ball from a penalty line-out into the hands of Moore who dived over for his second try. Seager added the extra two points, then unforgivably Pats seemed to switch off their focus.
Weston fly-half Chris Young failed to make the requisite ten meters at the restart and pats were handed a scrum on halfway. Seager kicked for territory but Young collected and launched a bomb into the left corner. Pats defenders tried to marshal the ball over the dead-ball line but Weston winger Paul Sprague arrived from nowhere to drop on the ball in the in-goal for a good opportunist. Try converted from the touch line by Young.
Pats were collectively annoyed at their lack of concentration and responded in the best possible way. They racked up three more tried through Ben Davies, hooker Matt Deacon and an interception by Pascal gave him his second of the game, converted by replacement Nelly Webber.
Weston picked up by a consolation try by right wing Kirk Middlemiss right on the final whistle but pats had won well and in magnificent style.
By Bob Ellis
Man of the match – James Baker
