Western Counties (West)

Wadebridge Camels 27, Wellington 29

The journey to Cornwall proved to be a fruitful but nerve-jangling trip for the R&Bs last Saturday as they came away with the spoils in a highly entertaining and full blooded encounter, writes Allyn Chetland.

Ryan Marke came in for Martin Walker at prop while Chris Batts moved up from the bench to replace Nev Pitman on the wing, with Alex Davey taking a spot on the bench.

Despite the deluge of rain during the week preceding the match the pitch was in outstanding condition.

The R&Bs were first on the score sheet when hooker Joe Dyke crossed for try, which was converted by Rob Hooper, following outstanding play involved Ash Harney and Liam Phillips.

The Camels hit back with a penalty but, not to be outdone, the visitors replied with an unconverted try by Harney, who produced a bit a side-stepping magic to leave defenders wondering where he had disappeared to.

It was nip and tuck for a 15 minute period as both teams played some good rugby without success but it was the Camels who scored next with a converted try to get within touching distance of the lead.

The R&Bs responded George Hodgson gathered a clearance kick and, finding himself in some space, he showed a clean pair of heels to would-be tacklers to score a wonderful individual unconverted try from 45 metres out.

Despite going a man down due to a yellow card, the Wellington defence stood firm in the face of some intense pressure to take a 17-10 lead into half-time.

The second half couldn’t have started better for the R&Bs as Liam Phillips crossed for an unconverted try near the posts immediately from the re-start following another clinical break by Hodgson to increase the lead to 22-10.

The Camels come roaring back and scored a converted try to reduce the arrears and, when the R&Bs were reduced to 14 once again following another yellow card, the hosts crossed for an unconverted to level the scores.

The R&Bs weathered the storm and, once they were back on numerical playing terms, they regained the lead when Chris Batts powered over underneath the posts following a series of well organised close quarter rucks.

This time Hooper made no mistake with the extra points to make the score 22-29.

The Camels rolled up their sleeves looking to get back on terms and following an attacking lineout crossed for an unconverted try to make the score 27-29 with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.

The final minutes of the game were highly charged with both teams having half chances which could not be capitalised on.

A prolonged added time period gave hope to the Camels but the R&Bs' work rate and passion saw them home for a tense victory.

Having not won at Wadebridge for a number of years, this victory was all the more pleasing for the squad especially as they played for 20minutes with only 14 players on the field.

The pack had the better of their opposite numbers in the tight play with a dominant scrum whilst outback the three quarters always looked dangerous.

It must be said that the approach of both teams deserves much credit for the way this highly entertaining game was played.

Next week St.Austell are the visitors to The Athletic Ground in a top of the table clash.

Squad: Richards, Dyke, Marke, Venn, Walker, Lee, Phillips, Kitto, Goldstone, Jarman (C), Batts, Gordan, Hodgson, Harney, Hooper, Crosby, Davey, Hancock

WELLINGTON 2nd XV travelled to Chew Valley last Saturday in what was a difficult afternoon for a much changed squad with a number of senior players missing, including captain Andrew Bellamy with a head injury.

The R&Bs started the game with only 14 as a number of players were held up in traffic and the afternoon progressively got worse as it went on, Wellington eventually going down 66-0.

The effort put in by the team deserves huge credit in very difficult circumstances.

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WIVELISCOMBE'S first and second team fixtures were both called off because of waterlogged pitches last weekend.

Both games have been rearranged for this Saturday, November 30.

The first tem are away to Honiton and the seconds host their Wells counterparts.

Hopefully the extra week off will give the injured players chance to recover from a range of knocks and bruises.