Cornwall & Devon
Wellington 25, Lanner 6

THE R&Bs recorded their first league victory of the season with a comprehensive win over Lanner last Saturday, writes Allyn Chetland.

This was Lanner’s first visit to the Athletic Ground and the hosts didn’t start well but, as the half progressed, Wellington went on to have the far greater possession and territory. 

Wing George Hodgson was unlucky not to score after some excellent individual skill, and the R&Bs eventually broke the deadlock when centre James Weeks strolled over for a try after superb work by his team-mates. 

Weeks made no mistake with the extra points, but Lanner responded via a penalty to reduce the lead to 7-3. 

Playing towards the clubhouse in the second half, the hosts immediately went on the attack and their efforts were rewarded when Weeks went over for his second try of the match after great teamwork, with replacement Josh Hancock to the fore.

The home side’s lead was reduced by another Lanner penalty, but Wellington then produced the best try of the match when Jack Churchill scored after a sublime move orchestrated by full-back Brad Field.

The R&Bs extended their lead further when Weeks slotted a penalty after Lanner conceded a penalty in front of their posts at a ruck. 

The hosts were now well on top and scored their fourth and final try of the match, resulting in a bonus point, via the impressive Hodgson, but the conversion attempt was again missed. 

An encouraging display by Wellington, who scored some excellent tries, while it was pleasing to see a bonus point.

No.8 Micky Norman was voted man of the match, with flanker Danny Lee & full-back Field not far behind. 

Team: R.Marke, J.Dyke, L.Wadham, C.Kitto, R.Walker, S.Davy, M.Norman, D.Lee, C.Jenkinson, P.Jarman (C), G.Hodgson, B.Gamlin, J.Weeks,, N.Pitman, B.Field, L.Phillips, J.Hancock, J.Churchill

Somerset Premier
Wiveliscombe 76, Weston Hornets 2nd XV 5

WIVELISCOMBE proved far too strong for a disappointing Hornets team who had secured a convincing victory over Stothert & Pitt the previous weekend. 

Trailing 24-5 at half time, Hornets disintegrated in the second half, with the Weston-super-Mare team ending up with 12 players and the game finishing before the allotted 80 minutes.

Tries from Jake Sharland (2) and George Rowe gave the home side a good start to the game, and they went on to score a fourth, bonus-point try when impressive full-back James Adams crossed the visitors’ try-line just before half time. 

Rowe converted two of the tries, while scrum-half Matt Kates responded for Hornets.

Playing down the slope in the second half Wivey increased the intensity and Hornets began to struggle, with frequent stoppages for injuries which culminated in the game ending early. 

Wivey were dominant in all areas of the game and scored another eight tries. 

Sharland added two more to his first-half brace, Adams crossed for his second, and Sam Gibbs, Trevor Coates, Jamie Marshall and second row Ross Pearson (2) completed the home team’s try count. 

Rowe converted seven, with Pearson also slotting a rare two-pointer.

This Saturday sees Wivey, who top the fledgling Somerset Premier table with two wins from two, go to Gordano, the only other side with a 100 per cent record from their opening two fixtures.

Somerset 2 South
Winscombe 2nd XV 36, Wiveliscombe 2nd XV 7

WIVELISCOMBE’S second team travelled to Winscombe, giving a good account of themselves and showing there is plenty to build on for their upcoming games.

This coming weekend, the 2nds are at home to Somerton, who have begun the season with consecutive victories (ko 3pm).

Somerset One
Wyvern RFC 11, Bristol Harlequins 29

WYVERN welcomed Bristol Harlequins to a rain swept Mountfields Road on Saturday for a match which was played in an ever-changing weather pattern of sunshine and showers, though this did not influence the game.

The fast and furious start settled into a pattern that would carry on throughout the match, with the Bristol side almost permanently camped in the Wyvern half and the home side throwing everything at them in defence.

Ironically, it was Wyvern, on a rare skirmish into the visitors’ half, who took the lead on 18 minutes with a 35-metre penalty kick from scrum half Lewis Tuncliffe. 

Thereafter, though, it was all Harlequins as they got into the Wyvern 22 and could not be pushed out. 

All credit to the Wyvern defence, who were magnificent for 20 minutes before the visiting side decided to turn a penalty into three points rather than keep driving at the impregnable red wall. 

Minutes later, the half was over with 3-3 on the scoreboard.

The second half had Wyvern in a 6-3 lead shortly after the restart, from another Tuncliffe penalty, but this was quickly neutralised by a converted try for the Harlequins.

The lead switched again when another rare visit to the visitors’ 22 saw the ball spread wide for wing Christian Hignett to score an unconverted try wide on the right.

The referee had already warned Wyvern they were giving away too many penalties and, when centre Bran Crampton was next to infringe, he took one for the team as the referee showed him a yellow card. 

Harlequins maximised on this advantage and retook the lead, going 15-11 up.

The pressure now began to tell on Wyvern as the relentless attack after attack started to find holes. 

Even with a full complement, Wyvern were not able to stop a further two tries before the end of the match, despite stern defence and some excellent tackling all round. 

The final score of 11-29 reflected a hard-fought game and, while Harlequins on balance deserved the match, they were made to work very hard for the league points.

Wyvern’s men of the match were centre Paul Wilson and hooker Jamie Grant, who repeatedly put in big hits at crucial times in the match. 

However, this was very much a team effort and bodes well for future matches - starting on Saturday as they travel to North Petherton 2nds.