Western Counties West
Kingsbridge 10, Wellington 14

A TRIP to Kingsbridge is never the easiest places to get a win but, despite the monsoon rain, the Red & Blacks chalked up their first away victory of the league season in another fine all round squad performance, writes Allyn Chetland.

Playing into the wind in the first half, the team started brightly with George Hodgson slicing through the hosts’ defence in the opening minutes which nearly resulted in a try.

It was Kingsbridge who took an early lead, via a penalty but the R&Bs immediately went again on the offensive and Danny Lee powered over underneath the posts following great work by the forwards.

Alex Davey made no mistake with the extra points.

The R&Bs extended their lead with a superb try by Tyler Hart after excellent work by his fellow three-quarters.

This try was even more remarkable when taking into consideration the very wet handling conditions. Davey was again successful with the conversion.

Jack Richards had to leave the field due to a recurrence of an ankle injury; he was closely followed by Hodgson, who had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury with Josh Hancock replacing Richards and captain Paddy Jarman on for Hodgson.

The R&Bs started the second period well but were unable to trouble the scoreboard further during this period of ascendancy.

The hosts then started to get their hands on the ball more often and the game developed into an arm wrestle around the halfway line.

Despite working well in defence Kingsbridge turned the pressure into points via a converted try to reduce the R&Bs’ lead to four points.

The visitors then applied pressure on the Kingsbridge line in the final 10 minutes of the game with Davey shaving the posts with a penalty attempt with the last kick of the game.

Wingers Nev Pitman and Tyler Hart ran hard with ball in hand, centres Chris Batts and Rob Hopper had solid games while, up front, hooker Joe Dyke and No 8 Cam Venn put in impressive performances.

Injury concerns going forward are Jack Richards (ankle), Ryan Marke (ribs), George Hodgson (shoulder) and Chris Kitto (groin).

Wellington: J. Richards, J. Dyke, R. Marke, R. Walker, C. Kitto, D. Lee, L. Phillips, C. Venn, T. Jenkinson, G. Hodgson, T. Hart, C. Batts, R. Hooper, N. Pitman, A. Davey, W. Hinchcliffe, J. Hancock, P. Jarman (c).

Next week, the R&Bs welcome Paignton.

The R&Bs are looking forward to the game but what is becoming even more obvious is there are no easy games in this league, so another difficult challenge awaits.

***

Somerset Premier
Burnham-on-Sea 19, Wiveliscombe 22

WEATHER played a large part in this game at Burnham, where both teams struggled to adapt in the wet and windy conditions, writes Roger Bellamy.

There was little open rugby on show with mistakes in abundance, but the visitors deserved the spoils because they scored points at the right times in the right areas.

Wiveliscombe showed their intent in the first set scrum where they drove the hosts backwards at a rate of knots.

Burnham, to their credit regrouped and experienced fly-half Tim Piper used the wind to push Wiveliscombe deep into their 22.

From this position, they created a driving maul which resulted in Burkan Gunduz scoring a try.

Piper converted to put Burnham 7-0 in the lead.

The game continued in a disjointed fashion with mistakes from both teams.

Wiveliscombe scored the next points in a similar fashion to Burnham’s try with second row Rory Stone crossing for the visitors’ first points.

Opportunities came and went for both teams for the remainder of the first half but both teams either lost possession or failed to finish off opportunities.

Burnham led 12-5 at the interval following a try from No 8 Jude Connolly.

Playing against the elements in the the second half, Burnham gained good field position keeping the visitors pinned in their own half.

Wiveliscombe were unable to make progress but they managed to obtain enough possession allowing them to cross for tries from Daniel Smyth-Moore and George Rowe; Dan Quick kicking one conversion to make it 17-12 to the visitors.

Burnham continued to create opportunities and poor tackling from Wiveliscombe allowed centre Will Hopkins to cross for an individual try which Tim Piper converted and saw the lead change hands.

The home team always had the problem of containing the visitors’ scrums and driving mauls and this proved to be the case when Wiveliscombe won the match with a second try from Daniel Smyth-Moore towards the end of the game.

Wiveliscombe will be pleased with this result, even if they were never at their best. Any away victory is a bonus in league rugby.

Wivey entertain Imperial on Saturday, while the 2nds host Weston-super-Mare 4ths.

***

Somerset Premier
Bristol Imperial 10, Minehead Barbarians 20

THERE was only one area of reference for this week’s build up: “Stop giving away penalties”.

Sounds very easy but, in the heat of the game not so easy to achieve as those who have played the game can testify.

Never-the-less, if Minehead wanted to improve they needed to learn lessons and learn them fast.

The conditions were going to dictate how this game was to be played out with strong winds and continual rain to hamper enterprising back play.

Or so it would seem but those watching were going to be in for a welcome surprise.

From the outset, both teams showed that despite the weather they had come to play rugby.

With the wind and rain at their backs, the Barbarians played down the slight slope and with great vision Joel Lynch sent a kick towards the Imperial try line; a bit of fumble and a great foot race saw James Day go over for a very well worked try - and only three minutes on the clock.

Some great attacking play by both teams then ensued, Gower and Hole going close.

Imperial were using the scrum to start their own initiatives and after some great handling in tricky conditions this move was thwarted by the trio of Hole, Owen and Day a defence that would stay strong all afternoon.

After 32 minutes, an Imperial infringement led to Lynch kicking to the corner.

An accurate throw by Richards allowed the forwards to gather and drive across for Ryan Lewis to touch down.

After back chat from the Minehead side, the home side notched their first points through a penalty.

Now on the front foot, Imperial, not content to finish the half behind sent wave after wave of attacks but the defence held strong and Minehead ended the half 10-3 up.

Second half started and a stray kick allowed Minehead to bring play back to the middle for a scrum. Freddie Pring managed to duck and weave from the base feeding onto Owen, who rounded the last defender and went in.

It was Imperial's turn to turn on the pressure valve but the defence remained strong aided by a captain’s performance by Ben Willes.

Inside centre Jordan Hole was prominent carrying the ball forward but, on the hour, Imperial were rewarded for their pressure as their No 8 drove over. They added the extras to make it 10-15.

Using their forwards and backs alike Minehead maintained possession, recycling the ball at every breakdown.

Over-zealous play from Imperial led to Lynch sending the ball up the touchline.

A catch-and-drive and Henson touched down to give Minehead their fourth try and the bonus point.

That is now over 20 tries they have scored this season in just four games - a fantastic effort.

Minehead: D. Swann, R. Winter, R. Holness, M. Lynch, B. Willes (capt), G. Richards, B. Bullard, R. Lewis, F. Pring, J. Lynch, J. Day, J. Hole, L. Owen, D. Westcott, J. Gower, R. Henson, M. Munro, W. Hawker.

This coming Saturday, Minehead host Weston-super-Mare 2nd XV.