Penzance & Newlyn vs Weston-super-Mare – Match Report

Published On: 14 December 2025Last Updated: 14 December 2025By CornishStuff

📷 Forwards action at the Mennaye Field. - Photo credit: Brian Tempest

Heads Held High Despite Defeat

By Phil Westren

Penzance & Newlyn 27 – Weston-super-Mare 42

This game was always going to be a tough ask for the Pirates, noting that they not only lost 56-33 away to the Somerset side in September, but the visitors also arrived at the Mennaye Field as unbeaten Regional 2 South West league leaders at the halfway stage of the season, and with a comfortable 14 points separating them from second-placed Tiverton. Having said all of that, the eight-placed Pirates gave a very commendable display and earning a four-try bonus point was the least they deserved.

The visitors got off to a quick start when winger Ryan Watterston raced in for a try at the scoreboard corner which was converted by fly-half George Nuttycombe. However, not to be outdone, the response from the Pirates was immediate, as wing Ben Wragg, who has enjoyed a fine season, scored a unconverted try at the old Western National corner.

Approaching midway through the half a well struck Rhys Brownfield penalty saw the Pirates take the lead, but it didn’t last for long as Weston’s speedy try-scoring young wing Keanu Ballard was given space to take advantage of and score a converted try at the Penzance posts.

📷Stretching his legs, scrum-half Dan Rhys Evans was a busy performer for the Pirates. - Photo credit: Brian Tempest

The Pirates appeared not at all daunted and took the game to their opponents, before suddenly leaking another converted try, a second of the match for Watterston.

It was known pre-match that Weston can hit hard if they are given space and opportunity, so the Pirates were very keen to focus on their defensive effort to defy them. Indeed, they were energetic across the board, with their efforts also rewarded in attack when hooker Wes Eddy was identified as the scorer of an unconverted try and the old Western National corner.

Weston hit back once more when their strong Tongan-born No 8, Nasili Ikahihifo, scored their bonus point providing fourth try, which was again converted by Nuttycomb, to make it 13-28 at the break. The Pirates had actually been more in the game that the scoreline had thus far suggested, so a competitive second forty was surely on the cards. We would see.

Starting the half well, with scrum half Dan Rhys Evans directing matters, the Pirates showed no lack of confidence with man of the match lock Jamie Eddy, Wragg, and flanker Sam Carroll to the fore. Taking play to into Weston’s half, a nudge ahead by Brownfield was scooped up by Wragg who raced in to score a try at the scoreboard corner which was also converted by Brownfield.

📷In determined mode, lock Ben Martin has Jamie Eddy in support. - Photo credit: Brian Tempest

Showing their power, the referee next awarded the visitors a penalty try, who then followed up with their final try of the match which was scored by hooker Gary Carpenter and converted by replacement Archie Tilsley.

To their credit the determined Pirates refused to cave in during remaining time against the unbeaten league leaders. Rhodri McAtee was his lively self as a replacement scrum half, and it was another replacement eager for action in hooker Kenny Jones who applied the necessary downward pressure when driven over the line at the clubhouse corner.

With the scoreline reading 27-42, the Pirates continued to press strongly, but with no further joy. Despite this defeat they had played with great spirit and pride, which was appreciated by the home crowd who had enjoyed the fully committed contest.

Speaking after the game Penzance & Newlyn’s head coach Murray Westren commented:

“Weston-super-Mare are commended for extending their unbeaten run to 12 games and completing the first double of this campaign, but by their own admission we pushed them really close.

“Although ours wasn’t a perfect performance, there was still much to admire, so well done to the players. They showed considerable spirit and determination, and it made a very good contest.

“We are learning all of the time, which is important and will hopefully continue.”

📷Pirates' skipper Stan Somers breaks into space. - Photo credit: Brian Tempest

Penzance & Newlyn: 15 Sam Cahill 14 Ben Wragg 13 Harris Eddy 12 Josh Semmens 11 Calum Gardner 10 Rhys Brownfield 9 Dan Rhys Evans; 1 Dec Prowse 2 Wes Eddy 3 Joe Best 4 Ben Martin 5 Jamie Eddy 6 Tom Hutton 7 Sam Carroll 8 Stan Somers (captain).

Replacements: 16 Ben Taylor 17 Kenny Jones 18 Rhodri McAtee,

Weston-super-Mare: 15 Alex Howman 14 Keanu Ballard 13 Cam Maslen 12 Marcus Nel 11 Ryan Watterston 10 George Nuttycomb 9 Jack Press; 1 ⁠Charlie Brabham (captain) 2 Gary Carpenter 3 Maison Turner 4 Sam Larrimore 5 Tom Sugg 6 Callum Kingscott 7 Jacob Cox 8 Nasili Ikahihifo.

Replacements: 16 Ieuan John 17 Sam Light 18 Archie Tilsley.

Scorers:

Penzance & Newlyn – tries: Wragg (2), Wes Eddy, Jones; cons: Brownfield (2); pen: Brownfield.

Weston-super-Mare – tries: Watterston (2), Ballard, Ikahihifo, Penalty try, Carpenter; cons: Nuttycomb (4), 18 Tilsley.

Man of the Match: Jamie Eddy.

(This coming Saturday the 20^th December, Penzance & Newlyn play Wadebridge Camels away for what will be a sixth versus eighth contest in Regional 2 South West)