Southend were left battered and bruised in being beaten by Weston-super-Mare at Warners Park on Saturday.
On the up - Phil Bailey claims this Southend line-out
They set out to prove a point and banish memories of the dismal show in November that saw them hammered 57-27 in Somerset, and went close to beating their fifth-placed foes.
Frustrated director of rugby Kevin Harman felt the officials played their part in his side's narrow National 3S defeat with some odd decisions.
He said: "Persistent offences at the line-out went unpunished, as did numerous incidents of foul play.
"We were finally undone by a try of dubious quality in the far left hand corner.
"But, having said that, we made two mistakes from which they scored tries."
Southend's hopes of gaining the advantage early on were scuppered when the visitors charged through for a converted try.
They soon hit back, though, with a try under the posts by captain James Shearing.
Ali Chambers converted to pull the scores level and front-row Peter Dack went over to give the hosts the lead.
Weston seemed rattled and the ill-discipline that angered Harman became evident, especially in the line-outs.
Southend were far from happy - especially as No8 Jamie Connors had to leave the fray with neck and kidney problems after being hauled down three times - and tempers at times flared.
Referee Richard Phillips of East Sussex did take action against the visitors when he sin-binned prop Mervyn Down.
But the Somerset side enjoyed one of their best spells in his absence -- scoring two tries to take command.
The next 12 home points came from the boot of Welsh winger Chambers and neither try line was breached again until well into the second half.
Kiwi centre Mac Smith streaked through for the home side's final try of the afternoon, side-stepping several opponents after collecting the ball just inside the Weston half.
Chambers converted and another penalty took Southend to within striking distance, but they could not quite overhaul the deficit.
Published Tuesday January 13, 2004
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