Wellington 13, Wiveliscombe 12

WELLINGTON won the day as traditional Yuletide rivals met, but only after holding out in a tense finale.

The Athletic Ground attendance swelled to near on 1,000 on Boxing Day, and they were treated to an enthralling contest.

It was home side Welly with all the early pressure, passing up a couple of opportunities before winning a penalty which was kicked to the corner.

From the lineout the forwards drove to the line and among the mass of bodies Luke Sellick was credited with the try.

Tom Hawkins produced a superb conversion from wide out to give his side a 7-0 advantage.

Wivey responded in determined fashion, testing the Red & Blacks’ defence, and eventually winning a penalty that they opted to kick – only for George Rowe to be narrowly off target.

Following a scrappy period of play Welly skipper Dan Moore was sin-binned having been adjudged to have deliberately knocked the ball into touch.

Wivey went close from the resulting scrum, and they finally had their reward as Jake Sharland gathered well and went over in the corner.

Rowe converted well to make it 7-7.

And yet, having been on the back foot for much of the half, Welly were presented the chance to go in ahead at the break as the visitors strayed offside.

Hawkins kicked the penalty from in front of the posts and the home side led 10-7.

The visitors attacked with vigour at the start of the second half but were frustrated by resolute defence and their own handling error with the line at their mercy, and another offside call against the away team gave Hawkins a kickable opportunity.

His aim was unerring once again, and the Red & Blacks held a six-point advantage.

However, that margin did not last long, as Wivey’s strength at the scrum set the platform for a quick transfer out to the blind side, Ted Keay charging through to score in the corner.

The conversion, crucially, fell marginally short and Welly still led – but only 13-12.

Pitman broke clear for the hosts, but after his offload the move broke down, and soon they were back on the defensive.

Wivey crossed for what would have been the winning try in the dying moments, but the referee brought play back for an offence at the lineout, and Welly retained possession to see out the tightest of victories and delight the home faithful.

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Wellington 2nd XV 36, Wiveliscombe 2nd XV 3

THE Boxing Day clash between Wellington and Wiveliscombe’s 2nd XVs was far more one-sided than the 1sts’ meeting, as the home team scored six tries.

Welly opened the scoring as Ricky Marke broke clear and set up Chris Batts to beat his man and go over for an unconverted try.

Neville Pitman soon added another, after a pick-up and dash clear, with Marke adding the extras for 12-0.

The visitors reduced the deficit with a penalty, but soon Welly had their third try.

Good combinations between the forwards and backs led to Alex Johnson escaping his would-be tackler and diving in to score.

Again the try was unconverted, but still the hosts led 17-3 at the break.

As Wivey tired, the second half brought three further tries for Welly, scored by Ryan Forgeron, Jacob Brister Thorne and Batts with his second.

Wellington man of the match: Jacob Brister Thorne.