Calne’s lack of confidence and discipline cost dearly as Weymouth picked up their first league points of the season. Despite having most players available to him, including the Fijian contingent, captain Mike Charlwood’s team failed to function and react to the Weymouth threat. Under the watchful eye of the clubs’ Vice Presidents Calne were put under pressure from the start when some sloppy tackling gave Weymouth an early try. A Weymouth back rower picked up the ball from a ruck charged over top unopposed to score an easy try under the posts. Whilst Weymouth were spurred on Calne reacted badly and soon found themselves being constantly penalised for foul play.

Weymouth had the Loins share of possession and controlled the game well, whilst Calne decided to continue with their aggressive spoiling tactics. Which surprisingly didn’t provide any spoils except for having two players sin binned and one sent off. Despite Calne’s negative play a number of individuals stood out and did their best to keep Calne in the game. Andy Donegan’s boot and his work at the base of the scrum was superb and Graeme Neale’s tackling was outstanding again. Max Whiston, Jon Hope Smith and Trev Wicks all played with pride and passion and did their utmost to put on a good show and sneak a result at the last. A late, disallowed, try from Neale proved to be decisive.

When Calne put their focus on the game and their pack got their hands on the ball Weymouth had no answer to Calne’s devastating rolling mauls. Donegan converted the first try, the result of a sapping 20-meter rolling maul, scored by Fijian 7’s expert Semesi. Calne’s second half try from Wicks along with Donegan’s boot kept Calne in the chase, but they never looked to have the belief, or the favour of the referee, to overcome the slight deficit. Mainly thanks to Weymouth’s ability to strike back quickly after each Calne score.

New coach Alan Matthews was obviously disappointed with the result and the reaction of some of the players both during and after the match. “Training is the key, not only do players learn new skills and develop existing ones but though training players will learn to communicate and get to know their team mates better, as communication on the pitch was a big flaw in our play today. Training is the way forward”

Post match Vice Captain, Alan Wicks’ reaction was “We basically handed the game to Weymouth due to lack of discipline. But they did deserve to win to be honest.”

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