Somerset Premier

St Bernadette’s 19 Wiveliscombe 1st XV 19

WIVELISCOMBE secured their first draw of the season away to St Bernadette’s in Bristol on Saturday.

The home team are always difficult opponents on their own patch and Wivey showed a good deal of character against an abrasive team, who play their pitch well, knowing more times than not, there will be a strong wind to take into account as there was in this game.

Bernadette’s played with the wind in the first half and spent long periods in and around Wivey’s 22.

The forwards used rucks and mauls to good effect to cross for three tries through captain Sam Afraz, Dan Harris and Matthew Clifton.

Fly-half Matthew Manuel converted two to give his team a 19-0 lead at the break.

Wivey had few attacking opportunities in the first half and did well to limit Bernadette’s to the three tries.

Roles were reversed in the second half with the visitors’ forwards taking control. The only problems Wivey had were the deteriorating conditions in some parts of the pitch, which resembled a bog and made playing any constructive rugby very difficult.

Wivey took their time but gradually created enough opportunities to cross for three tries of their own and could have won the game late on, being encamped on the home team’s line and just failing to finish off a promising situation.

Bernadette’s, to their credit, also defended with great spirit limiting Wivey to three tries.

Dan Quick, Lee Jeremiah, and Ted Keay scored five-pointers with Quick landing two conversions.

The result leaves Wivey sixth in Somerset Premier, 21 points behind second place Winscombe, who along with leaders Yatton, appear to have run away with the division.

Wivey welcome Yatton to the Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Somerset 2S Wiveliscombe 2nd XV 43 Frome 3rd XV 12 WIVEY’s 2nd XV secured a comfortable victory at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.

The playing surface allowed an open game and Wivey were able to cross for seven tries.

Young Jake Woodward led the way with two tries, while David Upham, Lee Milton Fyfe, Pete Lizemore, Paul Gridley and Niel Higgens added the others. Hugh Harris converted four.