Tabard 37

Weston-Super-Mare 34

Jewsons National League

2 South

Tabard had Nick Chuchman to thank for securing a narrow three-point win over Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday.

The stand off scored 22 of his side's 37 points, including two tries, as Tabard almost let a 17-point lead slip in the latter stages of a tense affair.

The game saw one side and then the other gaining the upper hand, although Tabard only once relinquished the lead during the whole game.

Tabard opened the scoring in typical fashion, with a Churchman penalty, and then scored the opening try.

Close to the opposition goal line, Weston won their own lineout but the scrum half's pass was intercepted and the ball passed rapidly out for centre Paul Allen to score under the posts, giving Churchman an easy conversion.

Weston then retaliated with two tries in two minutes, both from Tabard defensive errors, but as a result of pressure and, with one converted, Weston briefly held the lead. However, Tabard were quickly back in the Weston half and won a line out close in.

As the ball came to Churchman it looked as though he would be caught in possession but he just executed one of his magic breaks from nowhere and with the defence up he was through to score and add the conversion.

This heralded a period of Tabard ascendancy and five minutes later, after running a series of short penalties, Tabard had a loose maul virtually on the Weston line.

Hooker Mark Sharp came round and drove over the line for the try which Churchman converted. Churchman then scored his second.

A good take in the line-out by second row Carl Simpson set Tabard going forward, they rucked quickly and Churchman just ghosted through the defence to score in the corner, putting Tabard 29-12 ahead.

Then, just on half-time, Weston broke out of defence and were rewarded with a try so the sides turned round at 29-17.

In the second half, Weston converted a penalty before Tabard scored again with a try from wing Adam Williams, after a series of short penalties near the Weston line.

Churchman then added his second penalty to put Tabard firmly in the driving seat which was just as well because Weston found some extra drive and fought back with two converted tries, but it was all just too late and Tabard had clinched another league win.

Tabard travel to Redruth this Saturday.

TABARD: Hewson, Williams, Morete, Allen (Luders 70mins), Dudley, Churchman, Andrews, Bambra, Sharp, Warner, Malone, Simpson (Tyler 65mins), Edwards, Gorrie, Armstrong.

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