Western Counties West

Falmouth 10, Wellington 40

WELLINGTON made their longest journey of the season into Cornwall to take on Falmouth on Saturday, and came back with a 40-10 victory, writes Allyn Chetland.

Danny Lee returned after illness in what was otherwise an unchanged squad from the Red & Blacks' Boxing Day match against Wiveliscombe.

Falmouth took an early lead via a penalty after the R&Bs infringed at a ruck.

The lead was short-lived, though, as impressive winger Ash Harney magically emerged from a maul after an attack was held up on Falmouth’s 5m line, for an unconverted try.

This score was soon followed by a superb solo try from 50 metres out, winger Nev Pitman going over after great work by Liam Phillips.

Falmouth responded with a converted try soon after, following a period of pressure on visitors' line, to even the scores at 10-10.

This score was the catalyst for the R&Bs to double their efforts.

Falmouth started to struggle to contain the now very confident Wellington attack and soon gave away a penalty in front of their post, calmly taken by captain Paddy Jarman to regain the lead with five minutes of the half remaining.

The remaining minutes of the half saw the R&Bs pressing hard, and these efforts were rewarded when No 8 Cam Venn crossed for an unconverted try from a well-worked move off a lineout, with Phillips again highly influential in the build-up, to make the half-time score 18-10.

Wellington's confidence continued into the second period, as a result they played some excellent rugby, scoring some scintillating tries in the process.

Soon after the restart Venn scored his second try, which went unconverted, and this was soon followed by his hat-trick, converted by Jarman.

Both of these tries were again after outstanding play by the R&Bs.

Falmouth simply could not contain the visitors, and winger Harney scored his second try of the match, another outstanding score which took the lead up to 35-10.

The last 10 minutes of the game saw the away side reduced to 14 men following a technical infringement at a lineout.

Despite being a man down, the defence stood firm and they scored a brilliant last-minute breakaway try through George Hodgson, after great work by Vinny Gordon, to make the final score 40-10.

This was another all-round squad performance with each individual contributing hugely in this impressive away win, despite a number of players feeling the effects of bugs and illnesses.

Wellington squad: Richards, Dyke, Marke, R Walker, M Walker, Kitto, Phillips, Venn, Goldstone, Jarman (c), Pitman, Gordon, Batts, Harney, Hodgson, Hart, Hancock, Lee.

Next week Wellington entertain Kingsbridge at The Athletic Ground (ko 2.30pm).

Kingsbridge didn’t start their league campaign well but have picked up recently with some impressive wins of late so, as always, this will be difficult match for the R&Bs.

WELLINGTON'S 2nd XV entertained their counterparts from Keynsham on Saturday, in Somerset 1.

They came across a well organised and efficient side who eventually ran out worthy winners, 27-10.

Tom Crosby, Will Hinchcliffe and Sandy Kiddle were excellent for the hosts, whose points scorers were Jacob Coles (try) and Alex Davey (conversion and penalty).

WELLINGTON Colts were knocked out the Somerset Cup after a 30-17 defeat at North Petherton - click here for a picture gallery.

Somerset Premier

Old Redcliffians 2nd XV 24, Wiveliscombe 25

WIVELISCOMBE travelled to mid-table Old Reds expecting a tough game and that’s exactly what happened, writes Roger Bellamy.

The Bristol team had lost just once on their home ground this season and, with the visitors having to make numerous changes from the team that played Wellington on Boxing Day, they started with a little apprehension.

Playing down the slope, the visiting supporters were given early hope as Wivey began really well, especially up front in both scrums and lineouts where they had a definite advantage.

Tries from front rowers Matt Ellis and Tom Stone were the reward for hard work in the first half.

Fly-half George Rowe converted one and added a penalty to give Wiveliscombe a 15-0 lead at half-time.

A few minutes into the second half, the visitors increased their lead after Reds collapsed a driving maul which was certainly heading for a third try.

The referee raised his arm and seven points were added to Wiveliscombe’s total.

A good 20-minute period brought Old Redcliffians right back into the match.

Playing down the slope, they ran the ball from their own half ending in a try for centre Ezra Caven which fly-half Nick Purcell converted.

They added a second in similar fashion as left wing Jake Hollis overcame several Wivey tackles.

Purcell converted to reduce Wivey’s lead to 22-14.

The home team were now playing with added confidence and took the lead through two more tries from Caven to give him a hat-trick.

To their credit, Wiveliscombe fought back.

They had forced the home team to give away numerous penalties throughout the game with yellow cards being shown.

Instead of opting for their favoured kick to the corner, fly-half George Rowe was given the chance to give his team the lead with minutes to go.

He slotted a fine penalty to give Wiveliscombe 25-24 lead.

Reds were not finished and had a chance to take the spoils with the last kick of game but Purcell missed and Wivey took the spoils in an enthralling match.

The Wivey coaching team must have been delighted with the performance of the young players who played a major part in the victory.

Wivey’s 2nds failed to raise a team for their league encounter against Chard 2nds.

On Saturday, Wivey host in-form Burnham-on-Sea (ko 2.15pm) and the 2nd XV travel to Weston-super-Mare.