TAUNTON Titans saw their National 2 South match at Henley Hawks postponed yesterday (Sunday) due to the snow.

The clash has been provisionally re-arranged for Saturday, March 31 (Easter Saturday) with a kick-off time of 2pm.

Somerset Premier
Wiveliscombe 10, Avon 8

WIVELISCOMBE hold a five-point lead at the top of the Somerset Premier table after winning their crucial match with second-placed Avon on the Wivey Rec, writes Roger Bellamy.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, it became a bruising encounter with both defences having to withstand powerful attacks throughout the game.

Playing down the slope in the first half, Wivey struggled to maintain good field positions against the strong wind, making kicking difficult.

Consequently the ball was more often than not kept in the hands.

Avon's well organised defence held firm until the home team scored from a well-constructed set penalty move, as prop Matt Ellis ran through a hole in the defence to score near the posts.

Full-back Dan Quick converted to make it 7-0 to the hosts.

Avon spent good periods of play in and around Wivey’s 22 but the home defence, though at times stretched, limited the visitors’ scoring opportunities to a single penalty from John Batchelor, so at half time the score was 7-3.

The home spectators were hoping that their team could put pressure on the visitors in the second half.

Avon, like Wivey, found it difficult to construct good phases of play against the strong wind, so used their large centre and forwards in an attempt to unlock the home team’s defence. 

The hosts kept their discipline and shape, forcing Avon to move the ball wide, where winger Sam Wykes showed good strength to force his way over and give Avon the lead, but the try went unconverted.

Wivey did create several scoring opportunities, especially through talisman Jake Sharland, who made two penetrating runs up the touchline, but on both occasions he was tackled superbly by the Avon full-back.

Avon were looking like they would hold on for the crucial victory, but with time running out they gave away a penalty on the halfway line.

The hosts had to decide to go for the corner or attempt the kick, and Quick was asked to kick at goal.

This he did, holding his nerve to give his team a vital win by 10 points to eight.

That means that Wiveliscombe remain top of the league with a five-point lead over Avon, who have a game in hand.

Gordano are eight points adrift but have two games in hand, so it is going to be a tense finish to the season, with all three teams in with a good chance of becoming champions.

Wiveliscombe 2nds’ home game against Tor was cancelled after the visitors failed to raise a side.

This coming Saturday, Wiveliscombe 1st XV are at home to Stothert & Pitt, but the 2nds have no game.

Cornwall & Devon
Plymstock Albion Oaks 1st XV 13, Wellington 1st XV 24

TRAVELLING to Plymouth on a snowy and bitterly cold day was never going to easiest of days for the R&Bs and this proved to be the case, writes Allyn Chetland.

The Oaks were a much-changed side from the one that travelled to the Athletic Ground early on in the season, their side being bolstered by recent signings from the local University. 

This, coupled with what can only be described as ‘unique’ decisions from the man in the middle, made the game tighter than it should have been.

For The R&Bs, Ben Gamlin returned after illness, replacing George Hodgson in the centre, while Shane Jordan made his first appearance for the 1st XV this season.

He came into the starting XV for Cam Venn to partner Will Hinchcliffe in the second row.

Regan Walker made a welcome return to the matchday squad after four weeks on the side-lines due to an ankle injury.

Playing up the slight slope and against the elements, The R&Bs had to endure a period of pressure from the hosts before getting their hands on the ball and playing some rugby themselves. 

Following a promising attack, captain Patrick Jarman put in deft chip pass which was gathered by Chris Batts to cross for the first try of the game, the extra points could not be taken. 

The Oaks replied with a forward-oriented unconverted try of their own to even scores before Danny Lee restored the R&Bs' lead with a powerful drive after prolonged period of pressure on the hosts' line to give a half-time score 5-10 to the R&Bs. 

With the elements now in their favour, The R&Bs were keen to take the game to the Oaks but is was the hosts who started the better and reduced the The R&Bs lead via a penalty within five minutes of the restart.

The R&Bs pack now started to get a firm grip on the game and, after a series of dominant scrums, replacement Tim Jenkinson bumped and jinked his way over for a superb individual try which was converted by Alex Davey to extend the R&Bs' lead.

Wellington's dominance in the scrums was soon denied by a number of injuries to The Oaks front row meaning uncontested scrums for the reminder of the game, much to the R&Bs disappointment.

The Oaks showed great resilience and, once again, pegged back The R&Bs' lead via an unconverted try.

However, the game was put beyond any doubt when winger Nev Pitman collected the ball 40 metres and showed a clean pair of heels to would-be tacklers to score The R&Bs' fourth try of the game. 

Davey duly converted to extend the R&Bs' lead to 13-24.

The R&Bs tried hard to score more points but, unfortunately, it was not meant to be.

Another dogged bonus point win in what at times were atrocious playing conditions. 

The pack laid the foundation for this win with a dominant scrummage and efficient lineouts despite the windy conditions.

Debutant Shane Jordan seamlessly stepped into the second row while hooker Joe Dyke had a fine game, both in the tight and the loose, closely followed by his front partners Lee Wadham and Ryan Marke. 

Tim Jenkinson brought his experience to bear when he replaced Corey Jenkinson just before half-time and both wingers, Pitman and Tyler Hart, looked dangerous with the ball in hand. 

Team: R. Marke, J. Dyke, L. Wadham, W. Hinchcliffe, S. Jordan, L. Phillips, D. Lee, C. Kitto, T. Jenkinson, P. Jarman (C), N. Pitman, B. Gamlin, C. Batts, T. Hart, A. Davey, J. Hancock, T. Jenkinson, R. Walker.

On Saturday, the R&Bs make the short trip down to Exeter to play Wessex who are currently propping up the table and experienced a heavy defeat at Penryn during their last outing with a weakened side.

The Devon outfit will keen to put right what obviously went wrong against Penryn and will pull out all the stops to climb out of the regulation places.

The R&Bs will need to be prepared for another tough encounter if they are to continue with their winning league form.