Western Counties (W)
Wellington 27, Falmouth 15 

FALMOUTH made the long journey to The Athletic Ground last Saturday in what turned out to be a highly competitive fixture, writes Allyn Chetland.

On a glorious day and in front of a large home support bolstered by 50+ past players, the R&Bs came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders.

Playing with confidence and pace, Wellington tore into the visitors from the off scoring four excellent tries, one of which was converted, to take a 22-3 lead.

Falmouth’s try came via a counter attack from their own 22m line after an exciting home move broke down. The try was converted to make the half-time score 22-10 to Wellington.

The hosts started the second period well, dominating proceedings in the opening 10 minutes of the half.

Their efforts were rewarded with an unconverted try after an impressive rolling maul following a lineout.

Further pressure ensued and the R&Bs had what looked like a perfectly good try from another driving maul disallowed after the referee was unsighted.

This set back spurned Wellington on to greater efforts and it looked to all watching that another try would follow soon, however a speculative kick deep into Falmouth’s territory was charged down.

The visitors gathered the loose ball and, after a 90 metre counter attack, scored their second try of the match against the run of play.

This was the spur that Falmouth needed to get back into the game territory wise and despite their best efforts the R&Bs could not really get any meaningful possession to threaten again.

A massive defensive effort in the last 10 minutes was required to stop Falmouth getting a losing bonus point. 

The R&Bs try scorers were Nev Pitman, Rob Hooper, Jack Richards, Tyler Hart & Chris Kitto, with Alex Davey converting one of the tries.

This was a good response to the defeat at Crediton last week against a competitive Falmouth team who made a good contribution to a highly enjoyable encounter. 

Injury concerns going forward are Jack Richards (ankle), Regan Walker (dead leg) & George Hodgson (calf).

On Saturday, Wellington travel to Kingsbridge. Like Falmouth, it’s been numerous years since the R&Bs have played Kingsbridge so this will be something of an unknown quantity.

Squad: J.Richards, J.Dyke, R.Marke, R.Walker, C.Kitto, D.Lee, L.Phillips, C.Venn, T.Jenkinson, G.Hodgson, T,Hart, C.Batts, R,Hooper, N.Pitman, A.Davey, W.Hinchcliffe, J.Hancock, P.Jarman (c)

Somerset Premier Division
Wiveliscombe 32, Old Redcliffians 2nds 27 

WIVELISCOMBE were pushed all the way in this encounter on the Wivey Rec on Saturday, writes Roger Bellamy.

In the past, Reds have struggled to bring a competitive team to West Somerset but they certainly came to win this match and very nearly did.

Playing down the slope, the Bristolians looked an all-round team with forwards and backs playing to a good standard. 

Tries from Scott Parsons and Paul Sprague gave the visitors an early lead. 

Lewis Eaves added a conversion to give Reds a 12-0 advantage.

Wivey were struggling to gain good possession but managed to create an opportunity wide out with hooker Tom Stone showing good football skills to tap the ball over the line and score their opening try.

Full-back Dan Quick converted to close the gap to 12-7.

Old Reds were winning good possession and Wivey had to defend well to limit the visitors to just one more try before half-time.

James Foss crossed for the five-pointer which Lewis Eaves converted to give Reds a 19-7 advantage.

Wivey replied before half-time with a well-worked driving maul which ended with a try from second row Ross Pearson to make it 19-12.

Playing down the slope in the second half, Wivey were hoping to find things a little easier but Old Redcliffians proved to be a tough proposition.

However, Wivey managed to create enough openings to score three more tries to secure the bonus point - George Rowe, Jake Sharlend and Callum Lane each crossing for five-pointers, Dan Quick converting two.

Reds kept themselves in the game with a try from Harley Foley and a penalty from Lewis Eaves but the home team held on to maintain their unbeaten run so far this season.

Somerset Premier
Minehead Barbarians 29, Burnham-on-Sea 31

MINEHEAD were at home again and fielded a side full of young talent with a healthy smattering of experience. 

This week’s lesson has to be penalties will cost you games and it certainly did against Burnham. 

Outscoring your opponents by five tries to three should be one for celebration but lack of discipline across the park helped inflict the first defeat of the current campaign.

Minehead started the stronger with a setpiece that was going to cause problems for Burnham all afternoon led by the trio of Swann, Richards and Mollitt. 

The writing was on the wall very early in the game, however, when Burnham moved the ball through their forwards with drive after drive - eventually they earned a penalty within Piper’s range to take a 3-0 lead. 

However, a well-worked lineout move saw Dave Swann go over for a very smart try. Richings was next on the scoresheet but Burnham hit back with a try and conversion. Richings again went over and a fine kick from Freddie Pring gave Minehead a 17-16 half-time lead.

The second half started as the first had ended with Minehead putting on pressure.

Gower touched down in the corner but Burnham replied with two of their own. 

Minehead’s resolve was tested and they didn’t disappoint as Day crossed the whitewash.

Burnham booted the ball down field where again Gower was waiting to counter attack, however the referee penalised the home team for holding on and another penalty went the way of Burnham and the day was lost. 

Team- D Swann, G. Richards, D. Mollitt, M. Lynch, L. Parker, M. Richings, B. Willes (Capt), R. Lewis, F. Pring, J. Lynch, J. Day, J. Hole, C. Gray, D. Westcott, J. Gower, R Holness, R. Winter, L. Owen  

The Heather Pring Fitness Man of the Match was Jacob Gower.