Western Counties West
Devonport Services 1st XV 33, Wellington 1st XV 15

A TRIP to a team pushing for league honours was always going to be tough and this proved to be the case for Wellington on Saturday.

To their credit, The Red & Blacks were highly competitive for 70 minutes of the match, playing with passion and commitment from the first to the last minute, apart from a crazy 10-minute period which saw the hosts score 19 unanswered points either side of half-time.

Devonport started well and went over for an early converted try but, despite this setback, The Red & Blacks gradually started to find their feet and play some rugby.

Their efforts were rewarded when full-back Tom Hawkings kicked a penalty after the hosts were caught offside in front of their posts following an excellent attacking move orchestrated by outside-half Liam Symons.

With five minutes of the half remaining, The Red & Blacks were trailing 7-3 and looking comfortable with how the game was progressing.

However, then came the start of a 10-minute period that ultimately cost The Red & Blacks the game as Devonport ran in two converted tries in the remaining minutes before the interval.

With spirits still at a low for The Red & Blacks, Devonport again started well and soon went over for another unconverted try to extend their lead.

Pride and passion then came to the fore for The Red & Blacks and once again they started to play with ambition, which was rewarded as they scored the two best tries of the match.

The first was by flanker Jack Woodland after outstanding work by hooker Joe Dyke, and Hawkings made no mistake with extra points.

Woodland was again the beneficiary for his and his team’s second try of the match after a sublime break by Symons from well within his own half - Hawkings again claimed the extras.

The Red & Blacks continued to press but any hopes of a comeback were thwarted when Devonport scored their last converted try towards the end of the match.

Once again The Red & Blacks came back and threw everything they had into prolonged attacks but, despite these efforts, they could not cross the hosts’ line again and the game finished 33-15.

Devonport are the best all-round side the Red & Blacks have faced this season and, on this showing, should go on to finish top of the pile.

The hosts were well aware of the The Red & Blacks’ improved form of late and had done their homework, most noticeably at the lineout where they disrupted the visitors all afternoon.

Ben Hayman, in his first start for the 1st XV this season, was outstanding and thoroughly deserved to be named Wellington’s man of the match.

Young Tim Jenkinson also did himself and the team proud having come in as a late replacement for the injured Ben Price at scrum-half.

A disappointing result but, again, the signs are there that when The Red & Blacks keep their focus and concentration they can play some excellent rugby.

Saturday sees Wellington take on another high-flying outfit as Truro visit The Athletic Ground (2.30pm).

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WIVELISCOMBE’S Somerset Premier League match at home to Bridgwater 2nd XV was called off in controversial circumstances after the home team and the match official agreed the pitch was playable - but Bridgwater decided the ground was too hard in front of the grandstand.

The game has been rescheduled for February 4.

Wivey 2nds were no match for top-of-the-table Morganians in Somerset 2 South, losing 71-0.

On Saturday, Wivey's 1st XV travel to bottom club Bristol Harlequins, while the 2nds are at home to lowly Martock.

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WYVERN travelled to Somerset 1 leaders Imperial and suffered an 87-0 defeat.

Wyvern 2nd XV’s Somerset 3S match at Frome was postponed.

On Saturday, the 1st XV entertain Wellington 2nd XV, while the 2nds are at home to North Petherton 3rds.