THE new Covid-19 lockdown is going to have a serious effect on local sports clubs – and their players, writes Barry Knott.

Football, which has just been getting back on its feet, must stop while there is no news on when some form of competitive rugby will be played this season.

The Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League was hoping to start playing again last night (Thursday) with the Conservative Club being the venue for the first game of a shortened season. However, for obvious reasons, the league has postponed all fixtures.

Its vice-chairman David Derrick said: “With all venues closed, we had no choice but to put the starting date on ice.

“The management committee will monitor the situation during the four-week lockdown, which is supposed to end on December 2.

“A lot of hard work had gone into preparing for the season to get under way. Then just when we were ready to go with everything in place, we find we cannot.

“However, we accept the situation as being the hand we have been dealt with. As a management committee we will continue to strive to play skittles in some form in the 2020-21 season.” He added: “But for now, sadly, it’s a case of having to batten down the hatches and keep safe.”

Wellington Rugby Club held a successful inter-club touch tournament at the Athletic Ground last weekend and had been hoping to stage more such events to keep players interested and boost bar takings. But that’s been kicked into touch.

Wellington AFC were due to play a match at home to Bridgwater Town on Wednesday but eventually the clubs reached an agreement not to play. Now it will be at least a month before they can play again and there’s no guarantee of that.

The local Saturday and Sunday Football Leagues must stop while the Taunton and District Youth League has also shut down.

One local official said: “Kids can go to school but they cannot play football against each other. It’s crazy.”

Wellington Bowling Club were planning to open their indoor rink at Courtland Road this month, having installed a ventilation system to comply with Covid-19 regulations. They had planned a booking system to be in place.