WIVELISCOMBE will be looking to strengthen their position at the top of Counties One Western West when they play away to Barnstaple 2nd XV on Saturday, December 20.

The West Somerset side have an eight-point lead at the top of the table following their latest success - a 42-13 home win over Torquay Athletic last Saturday.

It was their ninth victory in ten games with their only defeat being in early September when they slumped to a 21-17 away loss against Truro. Since then they have won eight successive matches.

Their opponents on Saturday Barnstaple are in mid-table, having won four, drawn one and lost four of their nine fixtures.

Wiveliscombe’s closest rivals are Paignton who have won seven of their ten games and play away to Torquay Athletic on Saturday.

At the other end of the table, Saltash are bottom, having won only once.

Fixtures for Saturday, December 20: Kingsbridge v Redruth, Penryn v Saltash, Barnstaple v Wiveliscombe, Torquay Athletic v Paignton, Plymstock Oaks v Newton Abbot, Truro v St Ives.

Meanwhile Wiveliscombe 2nd XV, who are finding life in Counties Three Somerset South much tougher since promotion, play at home to Weston super Mare 2nd XV. Wiveliscombe are tenth while the seasiders are in third spot.

The division is being led by Tor who have a one-point lead over closest rivals Wells.

Fixtures for Saturday, December 20: Chard v Wyvern, Martock v Wellington, North Petherton v Hornets, Wiveliscombe v Weston super Mare, Tor v Crewkerne.

The Wiveliscombe club end the year with the traditional Boxing Day games at home against Wellington, with the 2nd XV game kicking off at 11 a.m., followed by the lst XV match at 2.15 p.m.

Wiveliscombe go into the two matches confident of pulling off a rare double over their neighbours.