Somerset Premier

Stothert & Pitt 30 Wiveliscombe 24

WIVELISCOMBE travelled to Bath for their latest Somerset Premier Rugby match and just failed to secure an unlikely victory.

Stothert & Pitt had a similar record to Wivey's in the league and have been a difficult team to beat on their home ground.

Never one of the heavier sides in the league, they always play an expansive game and prove difficult to contain over 80 minutes.

Playing up the slope, Wivey were expecting their hosts to put them under considerable pressure and this was how the first 30 minutes developed with the home team scoring three tries through right wing Adam Tanner, centre Dan Harvey, and number nine Tom Hake.

Fly-half Liam Burkham missed the three conversions from wide out but put over an earlier penalty after Wiveliscombe had taken an early lead through a Dan Quick penalty.

Stothert & Pitt, although playing up the slope, started the second half in confident mood with Wivey having to live off scraps which was surprising considering they had gained the upper hand in set pieces from early in the game.

It was the home team's second phase play that continued to trouble the visitors and Wivey's back row of Jamie Marshall, Finlay Grafton and, in particular, Lee Jeremiah, worked especially hard to contain a penetrating home attack.

Stothert & Pitts captain and number eight Charlie Parker, who was probably the man-of-the match crossed for the home teams fourth bonus point try to put Stothert 23-3 in the lead. The conversion again being missed.

Wiveliscombe to their credit stayed with their game plan and began to find gaps in the home defence.

A move involving several players resulted in Jake Sharland running a good line to cross for Wivey's first try.

Dan Quick put the conversion wide.

Stothert & Pitt replied soon afterwards through Liam Burkham scoring the home team's fifth try.

The final quarter of the match belonged to the visitors who had several opportunities to win the game.

They crossed for two converted tries through prop Matthew Ellis and youngster Trevor Coates.

Dan Quick added the two conversions to leave Wiveliscombes six points adrift and having to settle for a losing bonus point.

Wivey drop one place to fifth position in the Somerset Premier League on 20 points.

Somerset 2S

Wiveliscombe 2nd XV 17 Weston Hornets 3rds 33

WIVELISCOMBE's 2nd XV gave a creditable performance against top of the Somerset Two South League leaders Weston Hornets 3rd XV on the Wivey Rec.

The visitors always had the edge but the home team had good period in a scrappy game Especially when home centre Alister Clarke had the ball in his possession.

He ended up scoring the home teams three tries. Henry Graydon converted one of the three tries.

Wivey stay in a mid-table seventh place in the league.

On Saturday, the 1st XV entertain Old Redcliffians in the league (ko 2.30pm).

The 2nd XV travel to Tor 2nds.