WELLINGTON School regained the Sam Sherwin Memorial Trophy with a 20-17 defeat of Wellington Under-18s in a pulsating game that entertained the large crowd from the first to the last minute.

Playing down the slope in the first half, the school capitalised on Wellington’s failure to catch the kick off and took a very early lead when the recycled ball was spun wide for a well- worked try by George Adams. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

After this explosive start both sides settled into their games, playing open and exciting rugby in the process with fine defence only stopping each side from breaching the other’s try line.

Wellington eventually crossed the school’s try line when flanker Liam Phillips was driven over the line by the Wellington pack from a driving line-out.

Full-back Tom Kelvey stepped up to convert the try from the touchline.

The school regained the lead when Wellington were penalised at a ruck just inside their half.

Gwynn Parks, who also turns out for Exeter Chiefs, calmly stepped up and coolly slotted one of the finest and longest penalty goals seen at the Athletic Ground for many a year.

The school further extended their lead when a loose pass by the home side saw Tom Shepard snap up the loose ball and flop over the line for a try, Parks converted the try to make the score 15-7 to the school.

This try stung Wellington into action who responded with a fine attack which was halted in front of the school posts when the school were caught offside at a ruck.

Wellington choose to kick for the corner rather than taking the three points on offer.

From the resulting line-out Phillips again drove over. This time the conversion from the touchline was unsuccessful making the half time score 15-12 to the school.

Playing down the slope in the second half, Wellington tightened their grip in the forward battle with replacement Cam Venn, who was returning from injury, to the fore.

It was from another line-out, claimed by Venn, that Wellington regained the lead when Phillips completed his hat-trick of tries from another well-worked driving line-out.

The conversion was unsuccessful making the score 17-15 to the Red & Blacks.

Both sides now strived to find the score that that would win the game.

The school’s captain, Joe Lewis, thought he had scored a wonder try only to be pulled back for a foot in touch.

It was the Red & Blacks who had the more scoring chances but were unable to maintain possession near the school’s try line.

With time ticking away, Wellington were penalised at a scrum deep in their territory.

The school, sensing that this was their chance, took a quick tap penalty and spun the wide for Rupert Galley to score near the corner flag.

The conversion was unsuccessful making the score 20-17 to the school.

In the dying moments Wellington camped on the school’s line but despite all their efforts were unable to cross for the winning score.