Cornwall & Devon
Wellington 1st XV 90, Wessex 1st XV 10

THE Red & Blacks welcomed Wessex to The Athletic Ground last Saturday and the visitors from Exeter were given a difficult afternoon, writes Allyn Chetland.

Buoyed by recent encouraging performances the R&Bs went into the match full of confidence, going on to dominate all aspects of the game.

They set out their stall right from the outset, scoring in the opening minute.

Wessex tried their best to stem the onslaught of tries but their efforts proved to be in vain.

However, to Wessex’s immense credit, they never gave up and fully deserved to score two second-half tries when maybe the R&Bs had relaxed a little too much.

For the R&Bs, it was pleasing to see all the patterns and moves practised on the training paddock being put into operation on match day.

The R&B’s try scores were; Danny Lee x5, Liam Phillips x3, Chris Battts with Nev Pitman, Tyler Hart Ben Gamlin & Captain Patrick Jarman scoring one each.

Alex Davey kicked 10 conversions.

Despite not getting on the scoresheet, George Hodgson and Will Hinchcliffe had fine games for the R&Bs.

Special mention must go to full-back Alex Davey who stepped up to scrum-half role very early on, replacing Cory Jenkinson who took a nasty knock to the mouth.

Chris Kitto, who has been so impressive in the recent weeks, is a major doubt for the next game, leaving the field just before half time with what looks like a nasty leg injury.

Wellington: R. Marke, J. Dyke, L. Wadham, R. Walker, W. Hinchcliffe, L. Phillips, D. Lee, C. Kitto, C. Jenkinson, P. Jarman (c), G. Hodgson, B. Gamlin, T. Hart, C. Batts, A. Davey, J. Hancock, N. Pitman, H. Ramsay.

There will be sterner tests to come, starting this coming Saturday when the team travel to Bude.

The Cornishmen, along with the R&Bs, dropped down a league last season and were a bit of a bogey side for the R&Bs in the last league campaign, beating the R&Bs twice.

Bude are a difficult team to play and are always strong, especially at home, so the R&Bs will need to bring their A-game for this encounter.

***

Somerset Premier
Stothert & Pitt 1st XV 7, Wiveliscombe 1st XV 69

WIVELISCOMBE travelled to Bath looking to cement their position at the top of the Somerset Premier League.

Playing up the slope in the first half, the visitors were put under early pressure with Stotherts looking to kick to the bottom corners and use their large forwards to good effect.

This tactic was used to give the home side their only try of the match through Duncan Lynch. Fly-half Rowan Coombes converted to give Stotherts a 7-0 lead.

Lee Jeremiah, returning after an enforced injury break, was first to score for Wivey, up in support to cross for the try.

Alex Westcott, again returning after injury, converted to bring the scores level.

Hooker, Tom Stone gave the visitors the lead at half-time with their second try.

Playing down the slope Wiveliscombe were soon on the front foot in the second period and the home team found it difficult to contain the visitors' expansive game.

Two tries each from Richard Wike, Ali Vivian and Jake Sharland, with Trevor Coates and Freddie Green adding one each, completed the visitors' try tally.

Alex Westcott converted three of the second-half tries with Jake Sharland adding a fourth.

Wiveliscombe remain three points clear of second-placed Gordano with the Bristol team having a game in hand.

The 1st XV are without a game on Saturday, while the 2nds entertain Castle Cary (ko 2.30pm).