Western Counties West
Wellington 1st XV 20, Burnham-on-Sea 1st XV 18

THE Red & Blacks welcomed Burnham to The Athletics Ground last Saturday, for what turned out to be a nerve-jangling affair, writes Allyn Chetland.

The visitors were keen to pull away from the bottom half of the league, while the Red & Blacks were eager to continue their improved form to move up the league.

They made two changes from the previous weekend, with Ryan Mark and Alex Davey coming into the team.

The heavy pitch proved ideal for Burnham’s forwards-based tactics.

And they took an early lead via a try wide out but the extra points were missed.

The response from The Red & Blacks was almost immediate, with winger Jamie Hayman going over for a try after fine work by his team-mates.

Full-back Tom Hawkings added the extra two.

With the ball in hand, The Red & Blacks looked the far better team and went on to create further scoring opportunities.

From one of these chances the visitors were caught offside in front of their posts, with Hawkings duly taking full advantage to make the half-time score 10-5 to The Red & Blacks.

The second half was a story of ill-discipline for The Red & Blacks as three yellow cards blighted their display; at one point, the hosts were reduced to 13 for nearly 10 minutes.

Burnham reduced the arrears via a penalty – however, Hawkings replied to make the score 13-8.

It was from this point the ill-discipline kicked in for the Red & Blacks. Burnham exploited their numerical numbers, scoring another try, and the scores were level.

The one major bright point was Hayman’s second try of the match, as he rounded his opposite number with ease and outpaced the covering defence before chipping the ball over the full-back and winning the race to score an outstanding try.

Hawkings converted to make the score 20-13.

With The Red & Blacks still a player down, Burnham scored their third unconverted try of the match to reduce the lead to two points.

Burnham sensed they could take the spoils but the Red & Blacks’ 14-man defence stood firm withstanding anything the visitors could throw at them to take the spoils.

For the majority of the game the Red & Blacks’ defence easily dealt with the visitors’ forwards-oriented tactics.

The defence, especially when down to 13-14 players, was outstanding and epitomised by full-back Hawkings who made the necessary tackles and won the turnovers.

The win sees The Red & Blacks climb another place in the league.

On Saturday, The Red & Blacks travel to Plymouth to take on Devonport Services.

Services are riding high in the league, currently lying in second place.

***

Somerset Premier
Winscombe 1st XV 25, Wiveliscombe 1st XV 21

WIVELISCOMBE were close to gaining their finest victory of the season over unbeaten league leaders Winscombe, but had to settle for a single losing bonus point after the home side scored a try in the last minute.

Winscombe took the lead after a knock-on from a Wivey three-quarter move resulted in the ball bouncing into the hands of Owen Howell who ran in unopposed.

The game was then played in the middle third of the pitch with both defences holding firm.

Wivey’s forwards were looking solid and good field position enabled them to create a try opportunity for centre Ted Keay which he took.

George Rowe converted to put his team 7-5 in the lead.

The home team’s response was to test Wivey’s defence with a serious of powerful forward drives which resulted in the visitors being penalised at a ruck.

Centre Sam Dursley slotted the kick.

Wiveliscombe would not relinquish the lead until that final minute. They increased their lead with a second try from the pack after another driving maul was halted illegally.

A set penalty move resulted in prop Matthew Ellis scoring between the posts.

George Rowe kicked his second conversion to make the half-time score 14-8.

The second half was a fiercely contested 40 minutes with Winscombe desperate to retain their unbeaten record and Wivey playing out of their skins to keep the lead.

The visitors put themselves in a strong position when they crossed for their third try, again a driving maul finished off by lock Phil Hayes. Rowe converted for 21-8.

But Winscombe were always going to create more chances and this they did, scoring three more tries in the last quarter – from Owen Howell, Luke Fisher and one in the final minute from Aaron Ford, Sam Dursley converting the last one.

Wivey will curse their luck at having to settle for one losing bonus point for the second week running.

On Saturday, the 1st XV entertain Bridgwater & Albion 2nd XV (ko 2pm), while the 2nds travel to Somerset 2 South leaders Morganians.