WELLINGTON RFC Under 16s had the honour of playing in the final game of the club’s 150th Gala Weekend Celebrations with Crediton providing the opposition. This was also to be their last game as juniors before moving up to play Colts’ rugby.

Wellington started well and after a few minutes Archie Austin fielded a kick and ran back hard putting George Corp into space and he raced 40 metres up the wing before being caught. A few minutes later George threw a speculative pass inside which was gathered up by a Crediton player who scored the first converted try.

Wellington hit back with Ollie Bradley racing in for a great try which was converted by Brock Vallance who then put Wellington ahead with another great try. Ben Briddon converted to put Wellington 14-7 up.

Crediton then scored a converted try to level it up. A good run by Bailey Lee and some quick ruck ball saw the ball find Jonah Richardson in midfield. He hit a brilliant line and burst through under the posts. Brock converted to make it 21-14 at the break.

Crediton scored and converted the first try of the 2nd half to make 21 - 21. Although Wellington lost the ball they stayed in Crediton’s half, regaining possession a short time later. This time the ball found Jonah Richardson in space and he ran hard at the defence before offloading to Archie Austin who raced into the corner to score an unconverted try.

Crediton then hit back with a converted try to make it 26 to 28. A yellow card for the Crediton flanker seemed like it may help Wellington but this seemed to give Crediton more drive to make their tackles and they defended superbly while down to 14 players.

Then, with about 2 or 3 minutes left, Wellington had a lineout in front the grandstand. The ball was won and passed down to Thomas Gendall at 9. He dummied and raced through a hole in the defence, sidestepped the winger and then turned on the afterburners to outpace the fullback for a great individual try. The Welly boys celebrated thinking that was the winning score. Brock Vallance now on at fullback hit the post with conversion so the score was now 31 to 28.

But that was surely the end as the clock was on 35mins. But no, the ref declared there were 4 minutes injury time left. All Wellington had to do was defend for four minutes. But sadly they couldn't do this and after a series of rucks the Crediton backs found the welly boys tired and flat footed so they were able to score near the posts. Crediton converted to make it 31 - 35 and probably game over.

Wellington decided to kick the restart long and force Crediton to kick it out but the kick was miscued and bounced into touch giving Crediton the lineout 40metres out and surely they would secure this to win the game. But Wellington stole it and after a few good drives and rucks the ball made its way out to the left where Brock hit the line at pace and raced in for the winning try stepping the fullback in the process, again hitting the post with the conversion kick, leaving Wellington 36-35 winners of a thrilling match.

Mark Allder