WELLINGTON will be strengthened by the return of talented skipper George Hodgson for their away match against Crediton in Regional Two South West on Saturday, September 20, writes Barry Knott.

Hodgson, who took over the captaincy this season from Danny Lee who has since retired, missed last Saturday’s 52-19 home loss to Tiverton because of a ‘prior engagement arranged a couple of months ago.’

His brother Will captained the side against Tiverton who were 45-0 up after an hour’s play before Wellington hit back with three successive tries - but by then it was too late.

Wellington’s new head coach Bradley Field, said afterwards: “It was a game of two halves. We didn’t retain the ball in the first half. We gave away four soft tries through unforced errors.

“We were much better with the ball in hand in the second half. But you cannot start the game 40 minutes late.

“I was proud of the way the boys fought back in the last 40 minutes. But we have to eradicate unforced errors.”

Field, who is back playing first team rugby after a ten-year break, also intends to play against Crediton despite finishing the match against Tiverton with a swollen knee.

Both Wellington and Crediton go into the match having lost their opening two matches of the season. Crediton lost 28-26 away to Wadebridge Camels last Saturday.

Wellington share bottom place in the table with Cullompton, both sides still without a point after two losses each. At the other end of the table, Tiverton are top with the same number of points as Teignmouth and Weston super Mare.

Wellington 2nd XV, whose 39-12 loss at Wiveliscombe was their second successive defeat in Counties Three Somerset South, are without a fixture on Saturday. Like the first team, they are still in search of their first victory of the season.