WIVELISCOMBE reduced the gap between themselves and visitors Redruth 2nd XV to one point after gaining a comfortable 36-11 home victory over their Cornish rivals in Counties One Western West.

Playing up the slope in the first half Wiveliscombe took an early lead with prop Jack Thorne finishing off a period of pressure from the home forwards.

Redruth had good periods of play in Wiveliscombe’s half with their forwards and threes putting pressure on the home defence. Two penalties from the visitors captain Ash Hoskins gave Redruth a 6-5 lead after 32 minutes. Wiveliscombe fly half Tom Pearce produced some excellent kicks from deep in Wiveliscombe’s territory to allow Wivey to create opportunities from which they scored their second try through winger Tom Pike. Full back Will Thorne converted.

Redruth reduced the home team’s lead to one point with back row forward Luke Young crossing for a try.

Playing down the slope in the second half Wiveliscombe gradually gained the upper hand as the visitors began to tire. The home team’s front row added three more tries between them with hooker Tom Stone and props Matt Ellis and Jack Thorne crossing for a try apiece. Winger Dan Rottenbury scored the threes solitary try to give Wiveliscombe a bonus point victory. Will Thorne converted two of the second half tries.

Wiveliscombe’s second team remain top of Counties Four SDomerset South with a bonus point 27-14 away victory over third place Burnham.

Wiveliscombe have won 15 of 16 league fixtures this season with the one defeat to Martock away. The next league match for Wivey will be against Martock at home on March 22. Wiveliscombe have 75 league points with Martock one point behind on 74.

Wivey’s try scorers in this latest game were Ash Irvine, Steven Briggs, Paddy Ruell and Hugh Harris. Flyhalf Cameron Palk added two conversions and a penalty.