Wellington U18s 27

Minehead Barbarians 17

Wellington RFC U18s travelled to near neighbours Minehead Barbarians RFC for the away league fixture on Saturday.

With a number of Wellington’s key players missing from the squad, reorganisation meant many playing out of position.

With a brisk wind and some showers Minehead kicked off. Wellington received the ball and went through several phases of play before scrum half Jon Long broke away eluding a number of tackles to get the first score. Theo Sage stepped up to kick the two extra points

The game ebbed and flowed before the Wellington forwards and backs worked their way up the pitch where upon scrum half Long broke away to score again. The extras were missed. Wellington then came under pressure but with some big tackles going in, Minehead turned the ball over and a fine backs move saw scrum half Jon Long receive the ball wide out and dart in to score his hat-trick.

Minehead then applied their own pressure and scored a converted try close to the Wellington posts. The half time whistle went with Wellington marginally ahead.

Shortly after the second half whistle went, Wellington were caught napping and Minehead darted in for a second. The extras were missed.

Wellington the played an expansive game which saw a blistering run by Tom Slade wide go over for a try. This was called back by the linesman judging a Wellington player had gone into touch.

Minehead then intercepted the ball from some loose play and scored wide out.

The team captain rallied the team and the Wellington lads dug in to launch numerous forward attacks which allowed gaps to appear within the strong Minehead defence, forwards and backs combined again seeing the elusive scrum half long pop up to score his fourth . The extras were missed.

In the dying minutes of the game, Wellington launched another attack and Jon Long received the ball, side stepped his way through the defence to score his fifth. The extras were missed and the final whistle went for full time seeing Wellington win the game 17 to 27.

The coaching team were delighted with the way the lads adapted to new positions but played for each other and never gave up.

Wellington play Wells RFC in the Somerset league at home next Sunday 26th February.

The following Sunday, 5th March, Wellington RFC U18 play Wellington School U18s in the Sam Sherwin Cup KO 2.30pm at Wellington RFC .