WELLINGTON 45

WINSCOMBE 17

AFTER being crowned Cornwall and Devon League champions only a few days earlier, the R&Bs travelled to North Petherton RFC on Tuesday evening to play Winscombe RFC in the final of Somerset Vase - and played splendidly, writes Allyn Chetland.

Winscombe play in a league above the R&Bs so this was going to be a good test on how far the team had improved throughout the season. The R&Bs made two changes from the side that took to the field on the Saturday, Danny Lee & Ryan Marke returning to the starting XV in place of Micky Norman & Josh Hancock who in turn moved to the bench.

Playing down the slope with the elements in their favour and spurned on by a large travelling support The R&Bs went straight onto the offensive. Playing some excellent all round attacking rugby, coupled with an aggressive defence, the R&Bs blitzed their much larger opponents with one of the best 40 minutes of the season. Winscombe had no real answer to the skill and continuity on display from the R&Bs going on to concede five tries, four of which were converted, meaning The R&Bs went into half time leading 33-5.

With the elements now in their favour Winscombe may have thought it would be their turn to dominate the second half in a similar fashion as The R&Bs had done in the first. However, it was not to be and the R&Bs were not going to be denied. Winscombe did have a few chances but these were repulsed by the outstanding R&Bs defence. The R&Bs had numerous chances of their own and scored two  further tries, one of which was converted to runout 45-17 winners.  

The R&B try scorers were; Liam “Port” Phillips, Will “ The Vegan” Hinchcliffe, Danny “I’ve got a bad shoulder” Lee, Nev “can I have my scrum cap back” Pitman, Tyler “Bad Hamstring” Hart, Spanish George Hodgson & Paddy “The Captain” Jarman with Alex “I’ll have a Haze” Davey converting five of the tries.

This was an outstanding performance after a superb season. The whole squad got onto the field and all played their part in such a convincing team victory. It is difficult to pick individuals out, however Nev Pitman was selected by SCRFU as the Man of the Match. A fantastic way to finish the season for the club.

Just a little matter of the tour to Majorca now…celebrate in style lads in the knowledge you are league and cup double winners.

Wellington: R Marke, J Dyke, L Wadham, R Walker, W Hinchcliffe, C Kitto, L.Phillips, D Lee, T Jenkinson, P Jarman (c), G Hodgson, C Batts, N Pitman, T Hart, A Davey, C Jenkinson, B Gamlin, S Kiddle, J Hancock, M Norman, J Rowlands, A Johnson.