Cornwall & Devon
Wellington 43, Honiton 23

HONITON made the short trip over the Blackdown Hills last Saturday for what turned out to be a highly competitive and exciting game of rugby, writes Allyn Chetland

Honiton have been playing well of late and were keen to complete the double over the Red & Blacks, who were keen to make amends for the early season defeat at the hands of this week's visitors. 

Chris Kitto, Ryan Marke and Tyler Hart returned to the starting XV for the hosts, with Corey Jenkinson, Will Hinchcliffe and Jason Rowlands dropping down to the bench.

In front of a large home support the game started in almost perfect conditions for open, running rugby, and the game captivated throughout. 

Both sides had their share of possession in the opening quarter and against the run of play, the hosts broke out of their own 22 to take a 5-0 lead via an unconverted try by winger Nev Pitman.

Honiton responded with an unconverted try after great forward play to even the score. 

It was nip and tuck with chances for both sides, but the R&Bs then stepped up a gear and took a vice-like grip on the game, scoring some outstanding individual and team tries via George Hodgson and another two by Pitman, with Alex Davey converting two to send the hosts in at the break with a 24-5 lead.

The R&Bs were confident of continuing in the same vein in the second half, but it was the Devon team who put the disappointment of the first half behind them, going on to dominate for the first 20 minutes of the half. 

The visitors scored two converted tries of their own to reduce the lead to 24-19. 

To ease Wellington nerves, Pitman crossed for his fourth try of the match, which went unconverted, following a superb team attack to extend the advantage to 29-19. 

But Honiton weren’t done themselves and bounced back with their fourth try, again after some impressive forward drives, to make it 29-24. 

Nerves starting jingling again as Honiton continued to press, and it took a superb piece of individual brilliance from Hodgson to eventually take the wind out of Honiton’s sails, as he crossed for his second try of the game, and Davey made no mistake with the extra points. 

With time ticking by, the R&Bs once again produced another fine attacking move, with flanker Liam Phillips popping up to receive the final pass to score underneath the posts, converted by Davey, to put the game beyond Honiton’s reach and make the final score 43-24.

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

This was a thoroughly entertaining game of rugby, and both sides can take great pride in producing such a great advert for the sport. 

With four tries, Nev Pitman was named man of the match.

Next week sees Torrington visit the Athletic Ground (ko 3pm) for the final league game of the season. 

The Devon side are currently languishing at the foot of the league table, but if the first encounter is anything to go by, Wellington will have to be prepared for a physical encounter.

On Tuesday, May 1 the R&Bs take on Winscombe RFC in the final of the Somerset Vase; the game will take place at North Petherton RFC (ko 7.30pm).

Somerset Premier
Wiveliscombe 19, Weston-super-Mare 2nd XV 8

WIVELISCOMBE’S rearranged league game against Weston-super-Mare finally took place at the West Somerset side’s Plain Pond pitch under lights last Wednesday, writes Roger Bellamy.

A sizeable crowd took the opportunity to enjoy the late summer sunshine and were rewarded with a full-blooded encounter between two evenly teams.

Pre-match warm ups suggested the visitors had a young quick set of three-quarters who would test Wivey throughout the match.

Wiveliscombe also had their good moments out wide, one of which ended in a try for Wivey’s winger Jake Sharland on 10 minutes - centre Dan Quick converted to give Wivey the lead.

Play went from end to end for the remainder of the first half without either team adding to the score.

Weston looked sharp at the start of the second half and Wivey conceded a penalty which fly-half George Chapman slotted over to reduce Wivey’s lead to 7-3.

Wiveliscombe’s defence was tested by several good moves by the visiting backs and they finally crossed the line through centre Robbie Mackay to nudge Weston 8-7 ahead.

The home side’s forwards were beginning to make use of good field position and they forced their way over for a second try with second row Ross Pearson touching down - Quick added the extras.

The West Somerset team secured the four points for the win with their third try late in the game as hooker Tom Stone forced his way over.

Wiveliscombe must now play Barton Hill, who finished second in Gloucester Premier, to see who will be promoted to the Western Counties league.

This match is to be played on the Wivey Rec on Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.

Wivey have played at Western Counties level before, though not for several seasons.

Somerset Two South
Chard 2nd XV 26, Wiveliscombe 2nd XV 14

WIVELISCOMBE’S second team travelled to Chard for their final Somerset Two South match of the season.

They scored two tries, through Euoghan Westcott and George Hale, and Hugh Harris converted both, but Chard were too strong on the day.

Wivey finish the season in a creditable sixth place.