Somerset Premier
Wiveliscombe 17, Oldfield Old Boys 13

WIVELISCOMBE just edged this encounter between the second and third-placed teams in the Somerset Premier, but could not deny their visitors an all-important losing bonus point which keeps them ahead of Wivey, writes Roger Bellamy.

Playing down the slope in the first half Wivey were limited to one hard-earned try scored by No 8 Ali Vivian after just four minutes of play, Vivian returning after a few weeks out with a hamstring injury. 

Alex Westcott converted for a 7-0 lead. 

The two teams were evenly matched - Wivey just about had the territorial advantage but defiant defence from Oldfield kept the home team at bay.

Heavy showers were beginning to affect the underfoot conditions, as well as causing numerous ball handling errors, and both teams used their forwards whenever possible to gain ground. 

Penalties from Westcott for Wivey and Ben Morris for Oldfield were the only other scores in the first half, so at the break the hosts led 10-3.

Home spectators feared the worse as the game restarted for the second period, with further heavy showers adding to the already greasy conditions, but Wivey showed why they have been one of the strongest teams in this league, pressurising the visitors with good positional kicking and controlled forward play.

The potent attacking three-quarters of both teams had little chance to show their skills as they cancelled each other out with good defence or failure to control a slippery ball. 

One player who did catch the eye was Lewis Edwards, the visitors’ left wing who more than once made penetrating runs into Wivey territory. 

He duly scored Oldfield’s only try of the game, finishing off a rare three-quarters move, and Morris converted to level the scores.

Oldfield went ahead for the first time in the game after Wivey were penalised at the tackle area, and Morris scored his second penalty of the game for 13-10. 

The game became something of a dogfight, with frequent stoppages for injuries and mistakes from both teams. 

The result was decided with 10 minutes to play after a sustained period of Wivey forward pressure ended with flanker Finlay Grafton grounding the ball for the hosts’ second try. 

Westcott converted to put Wivey 17-13 ahead. 

They then endured a nervous final few minutes, with the relief clearly visible among home players and supporters at the final whistle.

The visitors’ losing bonus point keeps them in second position in the league, with Wivey one point behind.

This Saturday, Wiveliscombe 1st XI travel to 11th-placed St Bernadette’s Old Boys. 

Wiveliscombe 2nd XI, who were beaten 24-19 away to Bridgwater 3rds last weekend, host Burnham-on-Sea 2nds on Saturday.

Wivey 2nds are 11th in the Somerset 2 South standings, with Burnham sixth.