WELLINGTON will be looking for a return to Western Counties West rugby action when they play a derby match at Tiverton on Saturday, writes Barry Knott.

With few games played over the weekend because of the atrocious weather, Wellington remain one point behind leaders St Austell with a game in hand.

Wellington, however, will be without at least four key players for the short trip into Devon. Hooker Joe Dyke is struggling with a toe injury and may have to see a specialist, while three regulars this season, prop and vice-captain Jack Richards, back rower Cam Venn and centre George Hodgson will not be back from a skiing holiday until the evening of the game.

“We have some extremely good back-up boys in the squad and I’m sure they will do a good job,” said Wellington coach Alan Chetland. “But, of course, this is a derby game and sometimes the form book can go out of the window.”

Wellington have not played a league match since they lost a top of the table clash 15-14 away to St Austell in the middle of last month.

The following week they beat Bideford 14-5 away in the South West Counties Intermediate Cup final and face Swindon away in the semi-finals of the competition on Saturday week for a place in the national final at Twickenham.

Wellington’s league match against Teignmouth on Saturday was called off with the main pitch at the Athletic Ground and Beech Grove both under pools of water.

Wiveliscombe, who managed to play against Kingsbridge at Plain Pond on Saturday but lost 20-14, have another tough game away to Wadebridge Camels.

“We picked up a couple of injuries against Kingsbridge so we will have to see who is available,” said Wivey’s joint coach Peter Stone.

“The pack was superb against Kingsbridge and we scored a couple of pushover tries. But the conditions were as we expected. We had all four seasons during the match.

“The side leading after 60 minutes was always going to win the game.”

Wellington 2nd XV are away to Old Sulians in Somerset One and will be looking for a much-needed victory while Wiveliscombe 2nd XV are home to Somerton in Somerset Two South.