Western Counties West
Bideford 5, Wellington 5

THE Red & Blacks travelled to North Devon in what was always going to be a difficult and tricky encounter despite the hosts’ lowly league position, writes Allyn Chetland.

Prop Ollie Price and full-back George Hodgson were both unavailable so Ryan Marke and Alex Davey stepped into the starting XV, with Will Hinchcliffe and Tyler Hart on the bench.

As the score would suggest, this was a game of attrition played in very heavy conditions under foot and at times monsoon rain.

The hosts dominated territory and possession throughout the game, adapting to the conditions better than the R&Bs.

Despite this advantage Bideford could not break down the visitors’ superb defence, with Alex Davey and Ash Harney putting in huge try-saving tackles.

For their defensive work alone, the R&Bs deserved to take points away from this encounter.

When Wellington did get their hands on the ball they looked the more dangerous of the teams but unfortunately these periods were few and far between.

Chris Kitto was the R&Bs’ try scorer immediately after the restart, to even the scores following an excellent and well-executed attack.

Captain Paddy Jarman unfortunately hit the woodwork with the conversion from wide out.

Liam Phillips was a thorn in Bideford’s side all game and Cam Venn looked like he is getting back to his best after six weeks on the sidelines.

Squad: J.Richards, J.Dyke, R.Marke, R.Walker, C.Kitto, D.Lee, L.Phillips, M.Walker, D.Goldstone, P.Jarman (c), A.Harney, V.Gordon, C.Batts, N.Pitman, A.Davey, C.Venn, T.Hart, W.Hinchcliffe.

This coming Saturday, Wellington welcome Crediton to The Athletic Ground.

The Devon side are lying third in the league, one place above The R&Bs, and beat them by one point in the reverse fixture.

This is sure to be another tough and gruelling encounter so the hosts will need to be firing on all cylinders.

Somerset 1
Tor 53, Wellington 2nds 8

THE 2nd XV put in a valiant effort at table-topping Tor.

For most of the first period the R&Bs played with only 14 men against a far bigger side, due to late arrivals because of traffic problems, during which time the home side scored three tries.

Ben Williams, Jacob Coles, Josh Hancock, Callum Warren, Andrew Bellamy, Finn Homer and Jason Rowlands all had games of note, but the whole team can keep their heads held high after this performance.

Tor ran in four tries in the last 15 minutes to inflate the scoreline.

Club legend Dave Turney scored the R&Bs’ try, while prop Josh Hancock kicked a 45m penalty.

Somerset Premier
Avon 17, Wiveliscombe 13

LEAGUE leaders Wiveliscombe lost their first match of the season on Saturday, going down by four points away to Avon.

Avon have not lost at home in a year, and they maintained that record despite falling 5-0 behind early on.

Ian Burnell, Tom Boreham and Ben Hurd all crossed the try-line for the hosts, with George Rowe's penalty keeping Wivey in touch at half time, 17-8 behind.

The second half saw the visitors have most of the possession, but the wind was against them and the home defence proved tough to break down.

After two Avon players went to the sin bin, Rowe dummied his way through to score and cut the gap to four points.

But the hosts' 13 men held out in the remaining minutes to condemn the leaders to defeat.

Wivey are still 11 points clear at the summit, and this Saturday they are at home to bottom side Bristol Harlequins.