Western Counties West
Truro 12, Wellington 43

WELLINGTON made another long trip into Cornwall last Saturday and ran out worthy winners, writes Allyn Chetland.

Dan Goldstone made his debut for the first team, replacing the injured Will Brewer at scrum-half, while Joe Dyke returned at hooker and Ollie Price came in at prop.

On their last trip to Cornwall, the Red & Blacks started the game slowly and ultimately this cost them dear, but on this occasion they made an excellent start.

Truro were soon penalised on their own line following a series of rucks, and the industrious Chris Kitto took a quick tap penalty and went over for an unconverted try.

Truro briefly snatched the lead with a converted try, but Goldstone crashed over after great work by Liam Phillips, Alex Davey converting.

Truro were struggling to contain the R&Bs’ dangerous backline, and the pressure paid off when Regan Walker muscled his way over for an unconverted try and Nev Pitman secured the bonus point and a 22-7 half-time lead.

The second period started in the same vein as the first, with the R&Bs on top and causing Truro all sorts of defensive problems.

Chris Batts finished off another fine attacking move, and then Pitman popped up with a stunning individual try, leaving would-be tacklers floundering on the floor and grasping at thin air, Patrick Jarman adding the extras.

Truro replied with a converted try, but then Pitman picked off a loose pass to gallop 80 metres to score his hat-trick try, Davey making the final score 43-12 to the R&Bs.

The basis for this excellent victory was laid down up front, with the Wellington pack outperforming their opposite numbers in all facets of the game.

However, the backline was not to be outdone; every time they touched ball they caused havoc all over the field.

Wellington: J.Richards, J.Dyke, O.Price, R.Walker, C.Kitto, D.Lee, L.Phillips, W.Hinchcliffe, D.Goldstone, P.Jarman(c), A.Harney, V.Gordon, C.Batts, N.Pitman, A.Davey, M.Walker, G.Hodgson, T.Jenkinson.

This Saturday, they host Wadebridge Camels.

The R&Bs have been hit by a five-point deduction over a rule breach relating to uncontested scrums in a match with Kingsbridge.

It leaves them seven points off third-placed Crediton and 15 behind leaders Sidmouth.

***

Somerset Premier
St Bernadettes Old Boys 23, Wiveliscombe 46

UNBEATEN Wiveliscombe were given a good test by Bristol Combination team St Bernadettes, who sit in the lower places in the table but can beat any team on their day, writes Roger Bellamy.

The weather was perfect on this November afternoon, and both teams were able to play an expansive game.

Wivey soon had control of the set scrums, giving them a solid base throughout.

Hooker Tom Stone gave the visitors an early lead, finishing off a good period of pressure to cross, but a Matt Manuel penalty made it 5-3.

George Rowe’s penalty increased the lead to 8-3, and then scrum-half Hugh Kelly found a hole to sprint through and cross unopposed, with Rowe converting for 15-3.

Chances came and went for both sides, until Wivey prop Will Ellis got over to secure a 20-3 half-time lead.

St Bernadettes were soon on the front foot in the second half, and hit back with a try from Jarvis Walters.

But Wivey got into the groove in the third quarter to take a 39-8 lead, which proved a match-winning score.

Two tries from winger Richard Wike and one from George Rowe came at an important time, and Rowe slotted two more conversions.

But as the away side used their bench, they lost their shape, and home centre Callum Quirks scored two tries and Joe Matthews another, to close the gap to 39-23.

The visitors regrouped and scored a sixth try through No 8 Dan Smyth Moore, and the bonus-point win keeps the West Somerset team nine points clear at the top of the Somerset Premier standings.

In Somerset 2 South, a 14-man Wiveliscombe 2nd XV put in a good shift at Martock, losing 36-31, with tries from Tom Howard (3) and Kane Pepper (2).

This Saturday, Wivey’s 1st XV host local rivals Minehead Barbarians (ko 2.30pm), while the 2nds entertain Bridgwater & Albion 3rds.