Somerset Premier
Avon 24, Wiveliscombe 11

WIVELISCOMBE lost their 16-match winning run on a wet and windy afternoon in Bath, writes Roger Bellamy.

Avon, lying in fourth place in the Somerset Premier, deserved to take the victory in a game dominated by the elements.

Playing with the wind in the first half, Wivey struggled to penetrate a well organised defence and failed to put the home team under the pressure necessary to create scoring opportunities. 

The home team, on the other hand, used their forwards to good effect to create opportunities, one of which was finished off by Stuart Dilloway to put Avon in the lead.

Wivey had to make do with two first half penalties from Dan Quick to give them a 6-5 lead at half-time. 

Avon were on top for large periods of the game in the second half, making good use of the wind to keep the visitors pinned deep in their own half and only resolute defence prevented them scoring until two tries from powerful No8 Rory Crowthers gave Avon a comfortable lead. 

Fly-half John Batchelor added a Conversion to open up a 17-6 lead for the hosts, who then lost a player through a red card, but Wiveliscombe still struggled to gain any forward momentum. 

It was the home team who scored the next points, a fourth try through Sam Gapper which Batchelor converted. 

Wivey finished the game strongly, however, and were rewarded with a Ted Keay try but went down to a 22-11 defeat.

Somerset Two South
Wiveliscombe 2nd XV 59, Martock 0.

MARTOCK, to their credit, arrived in Wivey despite being short of a full 15 players. 

Wiveliscombe had enough spare to give the visitors a full team but it was a one sided contest which was brought to an early conclusion by the referee.

Wivey crossed for 11 tries, as Kane Pepper led the way with a hat-trick, Anthony Delacour and Matt Woollaston crossed for two each and Kallum Merritt, Vince Carrington, George Hale and Niel O'Brien all scored one each. Woollaston added two conversions for a full-time score of 59-0.

This weekend, the first XV host Bridgwater & Albion 2nds and the second XV travel to Weston-super-Mare 4ths.

Cornwall & Devon
Saltash 26, Wellington 32 

THE R&Bs travelled over the Tamar last Saturday, in a top of the table clash, in what was a competitive physical & compelling encounter playing in atrocious conditions, writes Allyn Chetland.

Saltash were quick out of the blocks, punishing mistakes by the R&Bs to score a very early converted try. 

Not to be deterred by this early setback, Wellington responded through an Alex Davey penalty after Saltash infringed in front of their posts. 

Soon after, Danny Lee powered over from 25 metres out following excellent work by Liam Phillips, and Davey made no mistake with extra two points. 

The R&Bs were now well on top and thoroughly deserved to extend their lead when Micky Norman crashed over after a prolonged period of pressure. Davey again made no mistake with extra two. 

In the dying minutes of the half, Saltash reduced the arrears to go into the break 14-17 down.

Now with the slope in their favour, Davey coolly slotted his second penalty of the match following another impressive attack. 

Another period of pressure on the hosts' line saw Ryan Marke helped over the line by his team mates following an unstoppable rolling maul, and Davey again converted to open up a 27-14 lead. 

Saltash were stung into action and collected a converted try, but Davey then Davey crashed over for his teams bonus point try. 

The hosts launched one final attack and, like the first half, scored an unconverted try with the last play of the match to make the final score 26-32 to The R&Bs. 

An excellent bonus point away win for the R&Bs in very trying conditions which saw them climb to second in the league. 

The back row of Norman, Phillips & Chris Kitto came in for particular praise but not far behind them came the front row boys of Marke, Joe Dyke, Lee Wadham & replacement Josh Hancock who ensured the R&Bs had the ascendancy in the scrums against much heavier opponents in heavy conditions. 

Next week, Wellington entertain Tavistock at the Athletic Ground in what is sure to be another tough encounter.

Team: R.Mark, J.Dyke, L.Wadham, H.Ramsay, R.Walker, C.Kitto, L.Phillips, M.Norman, C.Jenkinson, P.Jarman (c), N.Pitman, B.Gamlin, D.Lee, E. Staker, A.Davey, J.Hancock, W.Hinchcliffe, C.Batts