WELLINGTON have been given a boost by the news that only TWO sides will be relegated from Western Counties West at the end of the season.

Wellington had been under the impression that three go down, but South West RFU official Brian Flanders told me yesterday that this was not the case.

It means that Wellington go to Sidmouth knowing defeat will not necessarily end their fight to stay in the division..

Wellington are six points adrift at the bottom of the table and have only four more games to play.

Wellington had five points deducted for playing an unregistered player earlier this season - which was purely down to an administrative error, and not a case where the club tried to gain an advantage with the player concerned.

Wellington have been coached since November by Allyn Chetland who said yesterday: “The lads know they are capable of winning at Sidmouth. I don’t think we’ve had much luck this season - it would be nice to have the rub of the green.”

Wellington skipper Dan Moore is ruled out with damaged ankle and knee ligaments and winger Jamie Hayman is suspended after being sent off against Bude 11 days ago. Both will not play again this season.

However, experienced scrum half Tim Jenkinson has overcome an ankle injury and will be available to play at Sidmouth.

“It’s so important to have the likes of Tim available because we’re a young side and it’s still a learning curve for some of them.”

Mathematically, Wellington still have a good chance now of hanging on to their status in Western Counties.

Wellington will be out to avoid conceding the season’s double to Sidmouth who won 45-18 at the Athletic Ground in November, after trailing 18-5 at one stage in the first half.

This result came only a fortnight after Wellington released Lawrence Ovens who was appointed last summer as player-coach but never actually played.

Wiveliscombe will be chasing their seventh successive win when they play away to Nailsea and Backwell in Somerset Premier but the crunch comes on Saturday week when they play at home to Oldfield Old Boys who are second while Wivey are fourth.

Wivey’s joint coach Peter Stone believes his side will have to win all four of their remaining games in order to make the end of season play-off.

Wellington 2nd XV are home to their Wells counterparts while Wivey 2nds entertain Yeovil 2nds.