At last victory!

FX backed Stoke thoroughly deserved this win putting in the sort of performance that the team has been working towards over the past few weeks. The whole team worked for each other, were far more disciplined, giving away fewer penalties and not giving possession away as they have done in the past. At one stage it looked like there would be no game as firstly the team's coach had mechanical problems on route and on arrival the pitch had standing water on meaning that both captains had to agree to play the match. Having travelled down Stoke's captain agreed to play the match on the heavy and in places waterlogged pitch. After seven minutes with the home side playing with a very strong wind at their backs, they scored an unconverted try to lead 5-0. Stoke reacted well to this situation and came back at Weston playing the better rugby mainly in the home teams half. Stoke recycled the ball for numerous phases of play with all players contributing as runners in what was a very muddy playing surface. Line outs were difficult for both teams due to the wind and again Stoke had parity in the scrums. On 22 minutes after good pressure from the visitors Calder broke through the home teams' defence to set up a scoring chance for Appleby only for the ref to penalise Stoke for crossing. Stoke continued to play in their opponents half and it was only on the half hour did Weston clear their lines and move into Stoke's half. They were then rewarded on 33 minutes with a penalty which was put over to lead 8 nil. Just before half time the home team had possession in Stokes 22 but tremendous defence and a belief in each other meant that there was no more scores before half time.

Half time Weston 8 pts v Basingstoke 0 pts

With the wind at their backs Stoke suffered an early set back when on 3 minutes of the second half starting Weston were awarded a penalty which they scored from to lead 11 nil. Stoke then showed a hunger and passion to gain a much needed win by playing controlled rugby that saw them put the home team under pressure for most of the second half. On 12 minutes after putting together 8 phases of play that then saw St. Bernard spin out of two tackles recycle the ball and Calder take a crash ball from depth to cross the line and convert his own try to leave the score now 4 points difference. Stoke continued to apply pressure with Carl White going close, Buckland denied by the greasy ball and Roeske crossing the line only for the ball to be knocked out of his hand as he went to ground the ball. Then on 22 minutes Stoke were rewarded for their pressure with Neil Barton crossing the line to give Stoke a 12-11 lead which they were not to surrender. On 28 minutes Calder again rounded off a concerted period of pressure to score and convert to extend the lead to 19-11. The only major lapse for Stoke came on 33 minutes when Weston created an overlap in their own half kick through and scored points from an unconverted try. This could of left a nervy finish but Stoke again played in the home teams 22 for the remainder of the half and finished with this tremendous win. The only down side was an injury to Stirling at the last line out, which he won on their throw, who left on crutches with an ankle problem.

After Calder who was my man of the match added. "That was a tremendous effort out there by all concerned. We dominated much of the game in poor conditions and showed what we are capable of. For once we competed for most of the game and were rewarded accordingly. We must not rest on our laurels but look for further improvement next week and another win."

Final Score Weston-super-Mare 16 pts v Basingstoke 19 pts

NEXT GAME Saturday 7th Feb home to Tabard ko 2:30 pm.

link to RFU site