Western Counties West
Wellington 23, Sidmouth 26

LEAGUE leaders Sidmouth were the visitors to The Athletic Ground on Saturday, in conditions ideal for an open game, writes Allyn Chetland.

In what was a fantastic advertisement for WCW, the game ebbed and flowed, before the visitors claimed the spoils and ended Wellington’s 18-month unbeaten home record.

The first half was nip and tuck, with Sidmouth taking an early lead via a penalty, cancelled out by the boot of Alex Davey soon after.

Both sides looked threatening with ball in hand, but as the defences stood firm it was down to Davey, with two more penalties, to give the Red & Blacks a 9-6 lead.

They looked certain to stay ahead at the interval, but then an attack broke down, and some quick hands and deft passing saw Sidmouth score a classic counter-attack try, to lead 11-9 at the break.

The hosts started the second half well, creating some excellent try-scoring chances. These efforts were rewarded when Danny Lee powered over for a try close to the posts, with Davey adding the extras.

But following this try the R&Bs’ discipline deserted them somewhat and they conceded numerous penalties in a row, one of which was slotted between the posts to reduce the lead to 16-14.

Soon after, yet another penalty was conceded and captain Paddy Jarman spent the next 10 minutes in the sin bin and, with a numerical advantage, the away side visibly picked up their efforts and ran in 12 unanswered points during this 10-minute period.

With 15 men now back on field, Wellington rolled up their sleeves and doubled their efforts, exerting a lot of pressure on the visitors’ line.

Winger Nev Pitman popped up near a ruck to take a well-timed pass to score near the posts, and Davey converted to set up a frantic last five minutes.

The R&Bs tried their utmost to score a try that would give them victory or force a penalty for a draw, but it wasn’t to be, as the visitors held out for the win.

It wasn’t the result that Wellington wanted but the performance from the team cannot be faulted against a well-drilled team who will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season challenging for the league title.

The R&Bs front row boys Jack Richards, Joe Dyke and Ryan Marke had their opposite numbers in all sort of trouble all afternoon, while Liam Phillips had his best game of the season so far and Pitman did not take a step backwards all afternoon.

No.8 Cam Venn had to leave the field midway through the first half, and is an injury doubt for the next game.

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

Wellington make the long trip to St Austell on Saturday.

The Cornish outfit are in the top four of the league so this will be another major challenge.

***

CASTLE Cary were the visitors to The Athletic Ground as the Wellington 2nd XV returned to league action last Saturday.

The R&Bs put in a splendid performance, with some excellent attacking rugby and this, coupled with a solid defence, resulted in an excellent 26-8 victory.

The try scorers were Ash Harney, making his comeback from a hamstring injury, newcomer Dan Goldstone, Ricki Marke and Micky Norman.

***

Somerset Premier
Wiveliscombe 29, Nailsea & Backwell 10

SPECTATORS were hoping to watch a great game of rugby between two teams at the top of the Somerset Premier standings, but had to make do with 90 minutes of ill-discipline in play and disrespect for the opposition and officials, writes Roger Bellamy.

Wiveliscombe won the game because they identified the areas where they could score their four tries, and deserved to secure the bonus-point victory.

The first 40 minutes produced very little watchable rugby from either team, with numerous stoppages for poor discipline and penalties.

The referee had to bring the captains together on numerous occasions to warn them action would be taken if their teams did not adhere to the rules of the game.

The score of 3-3 at half-time, with a penalty from Dan Quick for Wivey and one from Rob Baker for the visitors, gave an indication of how the game had been played, despite the perfect pitch and good conditions.

Playing down the slope in the second half, the hosts used their pace out wide to manufacture three tries and the victory.

Using their backs, Wivey exploited the space on the top touchline, with full-back Jake Sharland crossing for two five-pointers and winger Sam Gibbs adding a third.

Before that, hooker Tom Stone had scored an early second-half try through a powerful Wivey driving maul.

Dan Quick added three conversions to secure the 29-10 victory and keep the West Somerset team top of the table.

This coming Saturday, Wivey’s 1st XV are away to Weston Hornets 2nds, while the 2nds travel to Somerton in Somerset 2 South.