SHERBORNE 22 WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 27

WEYMOUTH & Portland Under-14s are celebrating after winning this year’s Plate final.

In a repeat of last year’s final, the victors showed their intentions straight from the kick-off as they launched a period of sustained pressure on the Sherborne try-line.

This resulted in them being awarded four consecutive penalties from only five yards out.

It would be from one such penalty that Weymouth took the lead — the ball was fed out to centre David Taylor who was driven over by some strong forward support play to open the scor- ing.

The game returned to the centre of the field with both sides putting together some well-worked phases of attacking rugby, however, each venture forward was met with a strong and resolute defence.

Momentum began to shift in favour of a strong Sherborne side when, after capitalising on a gap in the Weymouth defence, the scores were brought level when the ball was grounded just inside the left corner flag.

Sherborne were now in the ascendancy and began to press home their advantage when the ball was moved quickly through hands along the line allowing them to edge ahead on the scoreboard.

Weymouth needed a positive response and it would be inspirational captain Jaden Claridge who would provide it — an excellent team effort saw the ball re-cycled quickly through many phases of play and fed out to Claridge who was able to cross the whitewash to bring the scores level.

As much as the previous try was all about teamwork, the score that would give Weymouth the half-time lead was a piece of individual brilliance by Claridge as he spotted a gap down the blindside of the ruck and fended off several defenders to make the half-time score 15-10 to the visitors.

A high tempo second half started with both sides looking to stamp their authority on the game with play swinging from end to end.

However, it was Sherborne who stepped it up a gear with two tries in quick succession, the second of which was converted and they subsequently opened up a seven-point gap between the sides.

The Weymouth reply was immediate as direct from the re-start a wave of blue shirts set up camp in the Sherborne 22.

With each attack being met with solid defence, it was going to take something special to break through.

As the ball broke loose from a scrum, it was the quick reactions of scrum-half Nathan Calton who was on hand to touch the ball down and reduce the arrears.

Sherborne looked to extend their lead, but as they were closing in on the Weymouth try-line the ball was spilt forward and quickly fed out to Ben Jones.

Showing amazing speed and power, he outpaced the opposition to run the length of the pitch and put the ball down between the posts. This allowed Claridge to add an additional two points to seal the prize for Weymouth & Portland.