Match Reports
 
 
 

Match Reports
 

Burnham 27, Wiveliscombe 0.


WIVELISCOMBE'S chances of promotion were blown away with the wind at Burnham, who proved too strong for their visitors.
Burnham were stronger in all departments apart from the line-outs where Wivey held their own.
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Fly half Elisi Dumitola orchestrated everything that Burnham did and finished off a fine all round performance with a second half try.
Trailing 12-0 at half-time, Wivey never looked like recovering and struggled to put together any meaningful attacks.
Wivey's scrum was always under pressure which was compounded by a referee who failed to rectify the wheel on every set piece on Wivey's put in.
This meant Wivey never had clean, quick ball and had to rely on scraps for most of the game.
Burnham also used the strong wind to better effect with accurate kicking keeping Wivey in their own half for most of the game.
 

Wiveliscombe 2nd XV 32, Wellington 3rd XV 5


WIVEY'S second string gained a comfortable victory over their local rivals at Plain Pond. Wivey lie in second place and stand a good chance of promotion to Somerset Two. They scored a total of six tries through captain Stewart Horman, Michael Kidner, Lee Milton, Mark Harrison, John Brand and Dan Clarke. Brand converted one of the tries.
 

Wiveliscombe 59, Crewkerne 0.

WIVELISCOMBE always looked the stronger team in the Somerset One encounter at the Rec.

Leading 22-0 at half-time, Wivey went on to score a total of ten tries to secure their 13th league victory. Centre Eamon Bingham opened the scoring for the home side with an individual effort on 22 minutes and skipper Gareth Bellamy converted to put his side 7-0 up. Minutes later Wivey were 10-0 up after Crewkerne were penalised at a ruck, Bellamy adding the three points.
 
Left winger Aaron Hanson finished off good work by his fellow threes to score a try in the corner.Right winger Donal Bingham, returning after several weeks, scored the next try following a run of 40 metres evading several Crewkerne defenders and Bellamy converted to put his team 22-0 up at half-time.

Hanson and Bingham then went on to complete their hat-tricks in the second half. Crewkerne, for all their efforts, were now struggling to contain a rampant attack and conceded a total of seven second-half tries.

Skipper Gareth Bellamy, with two and replacement, James Cavanagh with one, added the other second half tries. Bellamy converted one of the touchdowns. Wivey remain in the hunt for promotion, although the sides above them all won.

Combe Down 7, Wiveliscombe 10.

WIVELISCOMBE strengthened their push for promotion with a narrow victory away to Combe Down.

The win allowed Wivey to gain ground on the second and third place sides - North Petherton and Nailsea - who shared the points in a 15-15 draw
Wivey enjoyed more of the play but struggled to make the most of their chances in windy conditions.

However, they were stiil able to build a 10-0 half-time lead with tries from Rob Hill and Eamon Bingham.
The hosts hit back after the break with a try from Elliott Johnson, converted by Zac Ellis.

Despite that, Wivey continued to look the more threatening side and comfortably held out for another crucial win.

Wiveliscombe 25, Wellington 15.

 
 
Wivey take Boxing Day derby spoils

WIVELISCOMBE made it two Boxing Day derby wins in a row after a deserved victory at home to local rivals Wellington in the annual clash.

There was not a lot between the sides in an entertaining game, but Wivey were quicker around the break down and had the edge in the backs.Wivey, who play one division below Wellington, led 17-15 after the first half and, playing down the slope after the break, scored eight points unanswered.

Pacey, young winger Aaron Hanson led the way with two tries and hooker Ian England scored one.

Skipper and full back Gareth Bellamy converted two and added two penalties.

Scrum half Tim Jenkinson and prop Antony Gill scored Wellington's tries with Jared Baker sending over a conversion and a penalty.

Wiveliscombe 2nds fought out a hard 12 - 12 draw with their Wellington counterparts

 

Wiveliscombe 25 Bristol Barbs 5

WIVELISCOMBE moved up to fifth place in the Tribute Somerset One table after a 25-5 victory over Bristol Barbarians at the Rec.
 
Heavy underfoot conditions and a strong wind meant both sides made mistakes, but Wivey had more penetration in the threes and it was from this area that they scored their points.
 
Playing down the slope in the first half, Babas were looking for a healthy lead at the break. But sound defence from the home side limited the visitors to one try from right wing Shaun Lees after good work by No. 8 Skuse.
 
Wivey's back row of Mike Ruel, John Kerr and Ollie Burrows were prominent and Bellamy kicked a home penalty to make it 3-5 at half-time.
 
Wivey piled on the pressure in the second half and their threes took control. The rearranged set-up, with Rob Hill and Jammy Kennan at half backs, looked good as did the centre partnership of skipper Gareth Bellamy and James Kavanagh.
 
But it was youngster Aaron Hanson, starting on the wing but moved to full-back when John Brand was injured, who stole the limelight.
 
Hanson's first try was an individual effort, chipping over the visitors' defence and diving on the ball short of the line and sliding over.
 
His second was a spectacular effort from a clearance kick by Babas. He ran the ball down the slope, pushing aside several defenders and scoring under the posts. Bellamy converted to put Wivey 15-5 up.
 
Outside half Kennan scored Wivey's next try after good work by the forwards and threes created the opening, increasing the lead to 20-5.
 
Wiveliscombe now looked well in charge and finished strongly. Prep Martin Norman found himself on the wing and trotted in for a simple try to complete the victory.
 

 North Petherton 23, Wiveliscombe 7.

 
WIVELISCOMBE'S bid to climb the table failed on Saturday when they went down to North Petherton.
 
The home side looked the more settled team and gave Wivey problems in most areas of the game. Petherton led 13-7 at half-time through tries by Matt Brown and Tom Williams who also converted an early penalty for the home side.

Wivey had started reasonably well with a well worked try by Sam Kennan after good work by debutant James Kavanagh, skipper Gareth Bellamy converted to give Wivey an early 7-3 lead.
 
Steve Potter scored the home side's third try in the second half to wrap the game up for Pethy. Williams converted and also added a second penalty.
 
Wiveliscombe, for all their effort failed to add to their scoreline although they had their chances and must now reorganise.
 

Wellington 3rd XV 5, Wiveliscombe 2nd XV 52.
 
WIVELISCOMBE 2nd XV moved up to second in the table after a comprehensive victory over their close neighbours.
 
Eight tries were scored by eight different players with Martin Broom, Iain Bristow, Michael Hill, Barry Lockyer, Matthew Coggan, Stuart Norman, Dave Perry and Colin Ranson crossing the Wellington line. Lee Milton-Fyffe converted six.
 

Wiveliscombe 3rd XV 43, Cullompton 3rd XV 0.

 
WIVEY'S third string turned out to be too strong for their visitors from Cullompton.
 

Wivey skipper Rob Aplin reported that his side played some excellent support rugby and gave a good all round team performance. Their tries came from Dave Huxtable (2), Keith Gosling, Bruce Keay, Jacent Richards, Chris Roud and Russ Porter, who also converted six
 


 Wiveliscombe 106, Martock 0


WIVELISCOMBE ran in 16 tries on their way to their biggest ever league victory at Martock.
The whipping boys in Somerset One kept going for the 80 minutes but never looked like crossing the home team's try line.

Playing up the slope in the first half, Wivey crossed for six tries with all but one scored by the backs. Second row John Palk was credited with the first after Wivey's forwards had driven the visitors' pack over their own line.
Not always playing the most fluent rugby, Wivey's backs were far too strong for the visitors.

Tries came from skipper Gareth Bellamy, centre John Brand, fly half James Escott, scrum half Rob Hill and young winger Dan Clarke. Bellamy converted all six to make it 42-0.

Loss of discipline in the first 20 minutes of the second half stemmed the score to a couple of tries, but the last quarter produced another eight five pointers.
Bellamy added another four with Dan Clarke completing his hat-trick with two more. Ian Price added two well-taken tries with John Brand also crossing for his second of the match. Flanker Ollie Burrow and prop Martin Norman scored one apiece to complete the try tally.


 Wiveliscombe 2nds XV 12, Taunton 3rd XV 22.

WIVELISCOMBE 2nds missed a golden opportunity to topple the Somerset Three leaders at Plain Pond but failed to take their chances.

If they had it would have put a different complexion on the end result. They had to make do with two tries from Michael Kidner and Mark Harrison who also converted one.


 Wiveliscombe 3rd XV 30, North Petherton 3rd XV 12.

WIVELISCOMBE 3rds travelled to Petherton and came away with a comfortable victory.

In an entertaining game they scored four tries with Dave Huxtable leading the way with two. Veteran Ian Bristow crossed for one as did Mark Bowden. Scrum half Ross Porter converted two and also added two penalties.
 

Crewkerne 6, Wiveliscombe 48.

Wiveliscombe gave a powerful display against the South Somerset side who played their part in an entertaining game.

Wivey started the game strongly and a good three-quarter move was finished by left wing Donal Bingham, skipper Gareth Bellamy convertedNew face Ian Price, playing in the back row, was next to score for the visitors with his first for the club and Bellamy then added a penalty after Crewkerne had infringed at a ruck to make it 15-0.

Right wing Simon Ellicott came close to a score before full back Aaron Hanson, a constant thorn in the home team's side, scored a fine individual try. Bellamy converted.

Ollie Burrows completed Wivey's first half scoring with another good try, Bellamy adding his third conversion to make it 29-6 at the break.

Crewkerne continued to complete well up front with their driving mauls being particularly effective but they never looked like adding to the two first half penalties kicked by Les Thomas.

On the other hand, Wivey added another three tries through Ian England, John Palk and a second for Ian Price. Gareth Bellamy added two more penalties to complete the 48-6 victory.

 

Wiveliscombe 12  Burnham-On-Sea 38
Burnham-On-Sea started the stronger of the two teams in the season's opener with Wiveliscombe.
They were 17-0 ahead at half-time, a lead which they never looked like losing.
The home side defended well at times, which was just as well or the half-time lead would have been much larger.
Wiveliscombe looked ring rusty after a lack of pre-season warm-ups and left it to the last quarter to play the rugby they are capable of.
Elisi Vunipola was the main difference between the two teams. He scored three tries and converted four.
Other tries for the visitors were added by Dan Ford, Mike Whithead and Matt Hill.
Wiveliscombe scored their second-half tries through Phill Hayes and James Escott, with Dan Hannaford converting two, as it finished 38-12 in Burnham's favour.
Wivey are away to Crewkerne in their next league match on Saturday and can hopefully add to their good finish of this game.
 
Wivey's 2nds 22  Midsomer Norton IV 15
Wivey's 2nds XV secured their second win in Somerset Two South, 22-15 over an experienced Midsomer Norton side.
Wivey scored three tries through hooker Andy Priest, outside half Mark Harrison and winger Dan Clarke, playing his first game at senior level.