WELLINGTON'S 1st XV travelled to Western Counties West strugglers Paignton last Saturday for what unfortunately turned out to be a bit of a wasted trip to the seaside, writes Allyn Chetland.

Twenty-five minutes from kick-off, with the Red & Blacks almost finished their pre-match warm up, it was announced the referee for the day had been in a car accident and was on his way to hospital.

No suitable qualified replacement could be found so the game was postponed; the most likely date for it to be replayed is February 23.

Reports in the clubhouse afterwards were that the referee was OK, much to the relief of all the players and supporters, and Wellington RFC wish him a speedy recovery.

This coming Saturday the R&Bs entertain Saltash at The Athletic Ground (ko 2.30pm).

The Cornish side were promoted alongside Wellington last season but struggled early on in the season.

However, they have started to play the same type of rugby that impressed last season and their results have improved of late, seeing them climb to mid-table.

***

Somerset Premier
Imperial 36, Wiveliscombe 14

WIVEY lost only their second league game of the season with this defeat in Bristol, writes Roger Bellamy.

The West Somerset team were nowhere near their best and ended up well beaten.

It must be said they have been disrupted by injuries – forwards Callum Lane and Will Ellis were missing with hamstring problems and second row Rory Stone and Josh Stoddard pulled out on Saturday morning through illness – but Wivey never had the game plan to put them in a winning position.

They played down the slope in the first half and crossed for two tries through Jake Sharland, both converted by George Rowe.

However, Imperial scored three tries through Tim Hopkins, Dan Bisset and Jack Smart, with one conversion from Glyn Vickery to go in 17-14 up.

The hosts went on to score another 19 unanswered points in the second half to secure the bonus-point victory.

Jay Wilkins and Vickery scored one try apiece, with Hopkins adding his second; Vickery added two more conversions.

Wivey's disappointing afternoon continued when they lost centre Dan Quick to a head injury; he was taken to hospital and later released.

This Saturday, Wivey look to bounce back at home to Weston-super-Mare 2nds.