Western Counties West
Chard 12, Wellington 43

WELLINGTON finished the season with another impressive performance - but it was not quite enough to secure promotion, writes Allyn Chetland.

The Red & Blacks made the short trip over the Blackdown Hills to face Chard, with George Hodgson and Danny Lee coming into the squad.

Playing in the unfamiliar away 'pink' kit and bolstered by a large travelling contingent, the visitors started well, keeping Chard penned in their own territory for the majority of the half.

The R&Bs were the far more expansive of the two teams, playing with pace and continuity throughout the team, whereas the hosts relied on a more forward-based game.

Having much more territory and possession, and with Chard rarely threatening, Wellington scored three well-controlled tries.

No 8 Chris Kitto crossed for two of them and prop forward Jack Richards the other, with full-back Rob Hooper converting one to give his side a comfortable 17-0 lead at half-time.

Desperate to get something out of the game to ease their regulation worries, Chard started the second half well, having a purple patch in the opening 20 minutes and scoring two tries, one of which was converted, to make the score 17-12.

In past seasons, the R&Bs might have wobbled more and conceded further tries, but here they rolled up their sleeves and rode out the storm, before going on to dominate the last 20 minutes.

They ran in four more well-engineered tries via Richards (his second of the match), flanker Liam Phillips, No 8 Cam Venn and scrum-half Dan Goldstone.

Hooper converted three to make the final score 43-12 to Wellington.

Wellington: J. Richards, J. Dyke, R. Marke, R. Walker, M. Walker, L. Phillips, C. Kitto, C. Venn, D. Goldstone, P. Jarman (c), T. Hart, V. Gordon, N. Pitman, R. Hooper, G. Hodgson, S. Kiddle, D. Lee, A. Davey.

Despite the handsome win, both Sidmouth and Crediton won their final matches, meaning that Wellington finished third and missed out on a shot at promotion.

Nonetheless, it's been a brilliant season for the team on their return to Western Counties rugby, winning promotion only last season.

Each and every one of the players who took part in this campaign can justifiably look back on their contributions with immense pride.

Looking to next season, with Honiton coming up, Cullompton coming down and the possibility of local rivals Wiveliscombe also being in the league, more local derbies are in store - which will mean plenty of exciting encounters to come.