WELLINGTON’S rugby player-coach Matt Parsons is confident his side can avoid being sucked into a relegation battle in Western Counties North, writes Barry

Knott.

Wellington are third from bottom and have lost their last six league matches.

And despite facing the top two sides in the next ten days, Parsons believes Wellington will bounce back.

“We have shown this season that we have the ability to win games in this division,” he said.

“We have a young side and they are coming up against older players who are capable of grinding out results.

“Skill-wise we are often the better side. But these heavy grounds don’t suit our style of play and we are finding it difficult to adapt.

“However I’m am confident we will pull it around and get ourselves safe.”

Parsons described Wellington’s 33-17 home defeat by Bristol Harlequins on Saturday as the worst display of the season ‘individually and collectively’.

He added: "If we had played as we did the previous week against Cheltenham, we would have won easily.

Meanwhile, Wellington skipper Micky Norman, who has been out of action for six weeks with a chipped bone in his foot, is still a month away from playing again.

But George Hooper, who has been out for a similar time with a shoulder injury, came through Saturday’s game against Harlequins without any after affects.

Wellington play away to second-placed Keynsham this coming Saturday and are home to 100 per centers Matson the following Saturday.

Wiveliscombe, who returned to winning ways by beating Chew Valley on Saturday, are away to Weston super Mare in Somerset Premier this weekend.

Wellington’s in-form 2nd XV are home to struggling Chard 2nd XV in Somerset One and Wiveliscombe 2nd XV are home to Bridgwater 3rd XV in Somerset Two South.