WEYMOUTH 10 WESTBURY 0

WEYMOUTH strengthened their grip on top spot in Dorset & Wilts One South with a “hard fought” win over Westbury.

Paul Harding’s men ran out 10-0 winners at Monmouth Avenue and saw their lead at the summit stretched to nine points courtesy of a surprise defeat for second-placed Warminster.

Crossing the whitewash for the league leaders were Mike Robinson and Simon Dean.

Head coach Harding said: “The conditions didn’t help at all as it was really blustery and wet, so it was a hard fought battle. We had a few opportunities in the first half that we didn’t convert but it was difficult for both sides.

“They played exactly how I expected them to play, which was to defend manfully. They didn’t create a lot but they harried us and made it hard going.

“We finally got the breakthrough 15 minutes into the second half after sustained pressure, with Mike going over in the corner, and then Simon came on and scored the second try.

“It wasn’t pretty but with Warmin-ster losing it extends our lead at the top to nine points.

“We have just got to take it game by game, picking up points and hoping Warminster will drop away.

“They are our main opposition for top spot but there is still a lot of rugby to be played.”

On a more disappointing note, Weymouth appear to have lost Max Vallance (ankle) for the remainder of the campaign.

Harding added: “Max has got to have another X-ray to see if it’s broken or ligament damage.

“Hopefully though, Tim Comben (neck) will be back in two or three weeks.”