WIVELISCOMBE 1ST XV 13

WELLINGTON 1ST XV 17

AS strange as it might sound the more senior of these two Boxing Day local games between Wiveliscombe and Wellington turned out to be a carbon copy of the morning match between the clubs’ second fifteens, writes Roger Bellamy.

Wellington won the earlier encounter with the last play of the game and, believe or not, the afternoon game was decided in similar fashion.

On an overcast blustery day on the Wivey Recreation watched by a good crowd the visitors took the honours after a keenly contested 80 minutes.

Playing down the slope in the first half Wellington established an early lead when young fullback Tom Hawkins crossed for the game’s opening try before a large proportion of the spectators had time to settle, putting the visitors on the front foot and kicking the conversion.

Wellington gained confidence but the home team raised their game to spend good periods in their opponents’ territory. Scrums and lineouts were beginning to favour the home team but they could not take advantage and it was the visitors who added the next points with their second try through ex-Wivey back rower Jack Woodland finishing off a good phase of play .

Spectators from both teams pondered on whether the visitors had a large enough lead to defend with the home team playing down the renowned Wivey slope in the second half.

Welly’s prospects suffered setbacks when they lost a player through a red card and even worse dropped to 13 players when one of their team was yellow carded.

The home team took advantage and pulled level with two tries. Club captain John Ker, making a rare appearance because of injury, finished off a strong driving maul to touch down.. Pressure was increasing on Wellington and scrum half Hugh Kelly was on hand to finish off good work by his forwards to level the score at 10-10.

Home spectators were now in good voice and they had more to celebrate when fly-half Dan Quick put his team in the lead when Wellington were penalised at a ruck.

To their credit the visitors showed great character and after Wivey failed to secure the kick off the visitors established good field position and their number ten Paddy Jarman showed a refreshing piece of skill, chipping over the home defence to clinch victory for Wellington. Hawkins converted to bring joy to his team’s supporters.