Zac Sneddon was out suspended while Brock Oakley wasn’t available until right on kick-off and came off the bench.

Jason Cowburn, who was available for the first time in many weeks due to work, made his 100th starting game in the top grade.

Cowburn, who is in his second stint with the club, played 49 games from 2007 to 2009 before moving on. He came back in 2012 and was a major player in last year’s success which earned the Bears a grand final berth.

“His skill and vision certainly helped the Bears in the win with his ability to put his foot on the ball,” Bears football manager Shane Johnson said.

Charlestown had the first real chance of the game when a Scott Smith shot was blocked to safety by Bears keeper Tim Pratt in the 16th minute.

Weston took the lead in the 23rd minute when Robbie Turnbull crossed into the box with only Bears defender Liam Thornton still in a forward position.

Thornton glided his header into the right hand corner of the net, giving Charlestown keeper Paul Bitz no chance and the Bears a 1-0 lead.

The conditions certainly made life difficult for both sides as the ball often blew from right to left.

Going to the sheds with a 1-0 lead certainly put the home team in a positive mind set and another win away from the play-offs.

Daniel Minors from Charlestown copped the only yellow card in the first half from referee Byron Jaye.

Ten minutes into the second stanza both Charlestown’s Brock Frendo and Weston’s Wilson Edwards received yellow cards.

As the game continued it was more of the same with many stoppages, which frustrated both sides.

In the end Joel Witherdin from the visitors was booked in the 66th minute and had been warned on numerous occasions by the referee who finally lost his patience.

Both sides traded blows but in the end neither could convert and all points went the Bears’ way.

Weston are in third position on 29 points and trail second-placed Hamilton by a point and leaders Edgeworth by four points.

The under-22s were defeated 2-0 and the under-19s lost 3-1, with poor finishing again the difference between both sides winning or losing.

With three rounds remaining, Weston will travel to Darling Street Oval this Sunday to confront second-placed Hamilton.

Victory would almost certainly elevate Weston into the playoffs once again.

The Bears’ four youth teams will host Hamilton on Saturday at Rockwell Automation Park after having the bye last weekend.

Last night (July 28) the under-17s and under-15s played Broadmeadow Magic while the under-13s and under-14s will take to the field on Thursday night in wash-out games (under-13s at 5.45pm, under-14s at 7.15pm).