Wellington 14, Wiveliscombe 14

A Bumper crowd of two thousand plus turned up to watch this annual Boxing Day Rugby match in Wellington. Going by both teams league positions at present a close match was expected and that's how it turned out.

Wellington had an edge in the scrums but Wivey's lineouts gave the visitors enough decent possession to make this a game where both teams were always in with a chance of winning. Both teams defences proved difficult to breach with full blooded tackling in abundance.

Wiveliscombe were first on the score board with their three-quarters creating enough space to enable right wing Jake Sharland to dive over for the games first try. Fullback Will Throne added the conversion. 0pts 7pts.

Wellington always looked dangerous with their driving mauls and in and around the rucks from which they scored their first try through hooker Josh Mynett, flyhalf Tom Owen added the conversion. 7pts 7pts.

Play continued to spread from one end of the pitch to the other with both teams kicking the ball into each others 22, from where they tried to attack from deep giving both sets of supporters some nervous moments. Wiveliscombe took the lead for the second time in the game with Jake Sharland diving over for his second try to the delight of the visiting supporters, Will Thorne added the conversion. 7pts 14pts.

Wellington were awarded a couple of penalties towards the end of the first half which they kicked to touch for the lineout but Wiveliscombes defence was good enough to prevent their hosts from adding to the score.

HT. 7pts 14pts.

Play in the second half continued to produce some decent rugby from both teams giving their  supporters  plenty of opportunities to exercise their vocal cords which the Wellington supporters did when their team added their second try through winger Billy Brooks after a well constructed move by his fellow backs, Full back Alex Davey converted. 14pts 14pts.

Wiveliscombe had a couple of penalty kicks late in the game which both failed which was fair as both teams deserved to take something from this game especially Wellington who are celebrating their 150th anniversary. FT. 14pts, 14pts.

Wellington 2nd 12pts.    Wiveliscombe 2nd 17pts.

The first game of this Boxing Day rivalry between two of the oldest clubs in the south west was as always attended by an excellent crowd who were treated to a competitive game with both teams always in with a chance of winning.

Wellington had the edge in the first half playing down a slight slope. Wiveliscombe had to defend well to prevent the home team from scoring more than their two tries. Ewan Greening crossed for Wellingtons opening lead which was converted by Johnny Ogilvie, Wiveliscombe had taken an early lead with a penalty from flyhalf Cameron Palk.7pts 3pts.

The two teams were evenly matched in most areas of the game but Wellington were penalised on several occasions at the rucks. Cameron Park reduced the home team's lead to one point converting his second penalty. 7pts 6pts.

Wellington increased their lead crossing for their second try through Tom Stone 12pts 6pts but they were penalised shortly after allowing Cameron Palk to kick his third penalty. HT. 12pts 9pts.

The game continued to be highly competitive in the second half and when Wiveliscombe's Cameron Palk kicked his fourth penalty to level the scores it was all to play for.12pts 12pts.

The next score would probably win the game  with time running out and the visitors took the honours with a winning try from winger Tom Caughey to gain a rare victory at Wellington. FT. 12pts 17pts.