Swindon 1sts 14

Wellington 1sts 17

Intermediate Cup South West Divisional Final

WELLINGTON made an unusual trip north on Saturday to take on Swindon in the divisional final of the National Intermediate Cup.

Jack Richards, George Hodgson, Cam Venn all returned to the starting XV as did Joe Dyke who was making his first appearance for six weeks due a to foot injury.

The R&Bs ran out eventual winners 14pts-17 in what was a highly entertaining and enthralling encounter against a well drilled and efficient Swindon team.

Playing with the wind in the first-half The R&Bs knew they had to get points on the board but it was hosts who so nearly opened the scoring with a well-organised attack in the first minute of the game.

The R&Bs got their hands on the ball and opened the scoring via winger Ash Harney when he crossed following an excellent team attack wide out, full back Rob Hooper slotted the caonversion to give The R&Bs a seven-point lead.

Stung by this Swindon put together a fine move themselves to cross for an unconverted try against the elements, something The R&Bs could not do when playing against the wind in the second period, to reduce the lead to two points.

The R&Bs bounced back with an unconverted try, again by Harney, after fine play by second row Regan Walker. Buoyed by this score The R&Bs continued to press and pressure Swindon, this pressure eventually paid off when The R&Bs other winger, Alex Davey, crossed for an excellent team try with Hooper to the fore to lead 5pts-17 going into the final ten minutes of the half.

Swindon had not finished scoring themselves, stretching The R&Bs defence on numerous occasions and were awarded with two well taken penalties to make the half-time score 11pts-17.

With the wind now at their backs Swindon were soon camped deep in R&Bs half and were soon awarded a penalty for an illegal tackle. The penalty was duly taken to reduce The R&Bs lead to three points.

The reminder of the half was a topsy turvy affair with Swindon having plenty of possession but not really threatening The R&Bs try line, they did have an opportunity to score via another penalty but fortunately for The R&Bs this could not be taken.

The R&Bs did have opportunities to score themselves, Harney looked like he would score his hat-trick try but a thumping tackle on the try line stopped him in his tracks, in the dying minutes of the game a penalty attempt by Hooper clattered into the uprights meaning the R&Bs took the spoils 14pts-17 in a pulsating game.

The whole of the Wellington squad can be proud of their contributions but special mention must go to hooker Joe Dyke who played the full 80 minutes after weeks on the sideline. Credit must go to Swindon who played excellent rugby throughout, it was obvious to the many travelling R&B supporters as to why they are riding high in the Southern Counties League.

This result sees The R&Bs progress to the National Semi-Final of the Intermediate Cup where they will entertain Old Colfeians on Saturday, April 11.

Next week, hopefully, The R&Bs return to league action when they welcome Wadebridge Camels to The Athletic Ground. The North Cornish side always are a difficult obstacle to overcome as proved by the encounter earlier on the season when The R&Bs ran out victors in a tight and high scoring game.

The R&Bs can expect a similar battle this Saturday so will need to be on top form if they are to get the result.

Squad: Richards, Dyke, Marke, Walker (M), Walker(R), Howe, Venn,  Kitto, Goldstone, Jarman (C), Harney, Hodgson, Gordan, Davey, Hooper, Hancock, Hinchcliffe, Crosby, Gamlin, Sestaret, Lee, Hart.