One-point agony for Seconds in the Clevedon mud

CLEVEDON 2ND XV 15 WELLINGTON 2ND XV 14

THIS exciting match in Somerset One was one of the few fixtures to go ahead on Saturday, writes Michael Brewer.

Even so the pitch was barely playable, but it got the go-ahead by the referee.

In the first half Wellington controlled the game. However due to the mud and water on the pitch, mistakes were inevitable. Wellington’s scrummage was far superior and a few balls against the head were stolen.

Wellington punished Clevedon early on with two penalties converted by Ricky Marke. Clevedon hit back with a try after some sloppy defensive work and added the extra conversion points to take a splendid 7-6 lead.

This spurred Wellington on to tighten their game and but some good defensive work by Clevedon and a few errors, Wellington would have capitalised more.

The points did come until after about 35 minutes when Wellington stole Clevedon possession and Ben Hayman sprinted in from the 22 for an unconverted try for the visitors to go 11-7 up.

Unfortunately Welly went to sleep at the resultant restart and gifted Clevedon a try in reply. Half time arrived with the score 12-11 to the hosts.

The second half was a war of attrition as the pitch resembled a ploughed field. It made hard work for both teams. Wellington were held up on the line several times, but Clevedon held out for 20 minutes of the second half, until being caught offside which gifted Marke a penalty in front if the posts.

Clevedon then started to pressure the Welly line, and after some fierce attacking, Clevedon were awarded a penalty of their own.

The visitors had a chance later on but the penalty was perhaps a little out of Marke’s range.

This was a game Wellington could have won and to leave with just a losing bonus point was heart breaking for the effort put in.

It was pleasing to see some travelling supporters make the trip up to Clevedon to cheer on the lads after the first team’s game against Counties North leaders Matson at the Athletic Ground was called because of a waterlogged pitch.

There was good news for Wellington lst XV elsewhere with the two teams below them Barts Rugby and Gordano both losing home games - to Old Bristolians and Keynsham respectively.

Wellington play at Gordano this coming weekend and are home to Barts Rugby the following weekend.