WELLINGTON'S season starts a week earlier than most as they have been drawn to play away to Blandford in the preliminary round of the EDF Cup on Saturday.

Blandford will provide a tough test for Wellington as they play at the same level, in Dorset and Wiltshire One. Wellington go into the match understrength with six players on holiday and another three - Richard Porter, Alex Leach and skipper Matt Taylor - injured.

It means a first start for colt Ali Taylor who plays on the wing.

Wellington coach John Dunbar said: "We've got a few lads out but we're able to bring some good players in and we're looking forward to it. Blandford play at the same level as us so it should be a tough, competitive game.

"We've had a good pre-season and were able to take a lot from our match against Minehead last weekend."

Wellington lost the match 24-10 at home to Minehead who play one level higher in Western Counties.

Scrum half Brian Thomas and winger Mickey Norman scored Wellington's tries.

Wellington: A. Gill, A. Chalker, T. Keeble, S. Cottrell, D. Turney, C. Hughes, A. Morgan, M. Howley, H. Roffe-Sylvester, A. Chetland, B. Thomas, R. Garland, A. Taylor, T. Jenkinson, S. Wainwright, M. Norman, K. MacKenzie, T. Banfield, K. Breeze.

Wellington begin their Cornwall and Devon League campaign away to Falmouth next Saturday.

l TAUNTON continued their pre-season preparations with a 25-7 win at home to Sidmouth last Saturday.

The hosts ran in five tries - all in the first half - with signing Alan Gill, a winger, scoring three, number eight Tex Raratuba and new prop Alan Lowe one apiece.

Sidmouth's score came in the second half and was converted by former Taunton fly half Dan Retter.

Taunton were due to play the Army tomorrow but that match has been cancelled. Instead, Taunton will travel to the Midlands to take on Walsall who play at the same level.

New head coach Danny Thomas will lead his side in their first South-West Two (W) match the following Saturday with a home game against Weston Hornets.