WELLINGTON Rugby Club’s new player-coach Laurence Ovens took training for the first time on Tuesday night and will be spearheading the club’s bid for success in Western Counties West this season along with coaching co-ordinator and player Matt Parsons (left) and captain Dan Moore, writes Barry Knott.

Ovens was recommended by the club’s midweek coach Steve Pape who has signed a two-year deal to become player-coach of North Petherton who play in South West One (W).

A prop forward, Ovens made 21 premiership appearances for Bath between 2004 and 2009 before going on to play for Newcastle, Bedford Blues and Rosslyn Park.

In 2009, while still at Bath, Ovens was called up by the world famous Barbarians to play in the annual Mobbs memorial match.

Ovens’ arrival at the Athletic Ground will be of particular benefit to Wellington’s large group of young players, a number of which made their senior debuts last season.

Ovens will be looking to build on Wellington’s form towards the end of last season when they won six of their last nine matches, one of their defeats being against Matson who went through 2015-16 without losing a game.

Wellington’s training nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a 6.30 p.m. start.

Wellington’s opening match in Western Counties West will be home to Crediton, and they follow this with games at Tiverton (Sept 10) and Burnham on Sea (24th). They have no senior fixture on the 17th.

The Wellington club are holding a Sponsors Lunch on Saturday, July 24, at which sponsors are invited and, indeed, anyone interested in sponsoring the club are welcome.