RUGBY: Wellington, Wiveliscombe and Minehead Barbarians all start with wins

WELLINGTON welcomed near-neighbours Chard to The Athletic Ground on Saturday, for the opening match of the 2018/19 Western Counties West season, writes Allyn Chetland.

For the Red & Blacks, Tyler Hart was a late withdrawal from the starting XV due to illness, and was replaced on the wing by newcomer Ash Harney; club captain Patrick Jarman started on the bench after recently returning from a three-month stint down under.

On a glorious day and in front of a large home support, the hosts started the match firing on all cylinders, playing some outstanding rugby in the first 20 minutes and racing into a 19-0 lead.

At this point it did look like the floodgates might open further, but a combination of the R&Bs taking their foot of the gas and Chard picking up their game saw the visitors score 11 unanswered points to claw their way back into the game.

The home side were reduced to 14 men following a series of penalties conceded, and it did look like the visitors would exploit this numerical advantage, but it was Wellington who took control of the game, going on to score another 12 points in the last 10 minutes of the half to go into the break leading 31-11.

The second half started in the same way as the first ended, with Wellington on the offensive despite still being a man down and extending their lead further by penalty.

The rest of the half was an even, exciting encounter that enthralled throughout, with both sides scoring one converted try each and two unconverted tries, with Chard's last try coming in the final 10 minutes of the game, again with the R&Bs being reduced to 14 men following an infringement at the scrum.

The Wellington try scorers were Ash Harney, Corey Jenkinson, Jack Richards, Chris Batts, George Hodgson (2), Liam Phillips and Patrick Jarman, while full-back Alex Davey kicked one penalty and four conversions.

This was a solid team performance and a great positive start to the season in the new league, which should give the squad confidence going forward.

Up front Cam Venn and Dan Lee caught the eye, while out in the backs Harney looked sharp before injuring his hamstring.

The only blight on this positive performance was the amount of penalties conceded during the game; this is an area where huge improvements must be found.

Next week sees the team make the short trip down the M5 to play Crediton.

The Devon also started the season well, recording an impressive away win at Wadebridge Camels, so this game is sure to be a tough encounter for the R&Bs.

Wellington squad: J.Richards, J.Dyke, R.Marke, R.Walker, C.Kitto, D.Lee (c), L.Phillips, C.Venn, C.Jenkinson, G.Hodgson, A.Harney, C.Batts, J.Weeks, N.Pitman, A.Davey, W.Hinchcliffe, O.Price, P.Jarman.

HOME WIN: Wellington enjoyed the perfect start against Chard. Pic: Steve Richardson

***

Somerset Premier
Wiveliscombe 80, Bristol Barbarians 10

WIVELISCOMBE opened their 2018/19 league campaign with a convincing victory over Bristol Barbarians, who won promotion from Somerset 1 last season, writes Roger Bellamy.

The Bristol combination team were unable to field a front row, which gave Wiveliscombe the maximum points before the game had even started.

Come kick-off, the home side proved far too strong for their visitors, outscoring them by five tries to two in the first half.

Jake Sharland and John Kerr crossed for two tries each, with George Rowe adding the fifth and kicking all five conversions.

Barbarians did cross the home team's line on two occasions in the first period, John Armstrong and Matthew Tanner going over for breakaway tries, to make it 35-10 at half time.

Playing down the slope in the second half, Wivey were dominant in all aspects of the game and went on to score another seven tries.

Sharland and Kerr added to their two first-half tries, and Rowe, Sam Gibbs, Rory Stone, Tom Hughes and Matt Ellis all scored a try each.

Rowe added another seven conversions.

This was effectively a training session for the hosts, which gave them an opportunity to field their new arrivals.

Josh Cooper, Callum Lane, Rory Stone and Lewis Manning all played their part in the convincing victory.

***

Somerset Premier
Minehead Barbarians 31, Bristol Harlequins 0

MINEHEAD Barbarians got the new rugby season off to a successful start at Ellicombe on Saturday, scoring five tries and denying newly-promoted Bristol Harlequins any points.

However, the game was tighter than the scoreline might suggest, the Bristol team’s forwards exerting a lot of pressure at times, and forcing Minehead into some heavy work in defence.

While the hosts’ commitment in defence was admirable, they will want to look at their discipline in some areas, giving away too many penalties for minor offences.

With the Barbarians playing towards Alcombe in the first half, there was little between the teams in the first quarter.

In fact it was Harlequins which had the first opportunity to score, but missed a penalty.

The home side mounted counter-attacks from their opponents' kicks, Richings running the ball back powerfully, and linking with Gray, but the move broke down.

Soon after, a scrum on the home 22 saw Lewis break away, he linked with Walsh, and Gower put in a searing burst to break clear and pass inside to Cameron Gray, the New Zealander going in to score on his league debut.

The home side were fighting hard to combat the short driving game of the Bristolians, which was effective in exerting pressure on the Barbarians.

Minehead in contrast, were keen to run the ball whenever possible and test their opponents' wide defence, helped by a sin-binning for the visitors.

The Barbarians took advantage of the situation, as a good lineout win was moved wide by the impressive Connor Walsh, who found speedy winger James Day.

Day sprinted along the top touchline, the last tackler saw Gower in support, so Day was able to cut inside and score by the posts, Pring converting.

Walsh was next over the line with an outstanding individual effort.

He used centres Hole and Gray to fix the defence, and then shot thought the gap created, his arcing run taking him to score a try which Pring again converted.

At half time the message from coach Mick Orton, was “focus on reducing the number of penalties”, and establish the gameplan.

Harlequins were in no mood to allow Minehead an easy bonus point try, and with the breeze behind them, they pinned the Barbarians in their own 22.

The home side was forced to defend their try-line for more than 10 minutes, as time and again the visitors drove in their pack.

Swann, Parker, Lynch, Willes, and Lewis gave everything, and kept the attackers out.

Minehead made changes in the pack, bringing Holness into the front row, and George Day into the back.

Day impressed on his senior debut, with some heavy tackles that knocked back Bristol players.

Another change saw Joel Lynch come into midfield, and he combined with Walsh and Munro to make space for Pring to race through to score and convert.

The day’s final try was memorable, as a long clearance was collected by Gower, who threw the ball infield to Day, and Day set off on a 60-metre sprint around the defence to score.

There is some hard work to be done in training, but this was very encouraging start to the season; this coming Saturday, the Barbarians are at home again, this time against Old Redcliffians 2nds.

Heather Pring Fitness Man of the Match: Leigh Parker and Connor Walsh