WIVELISCOMBE lst XV went down 27-10 away to Barnstaple Athletic in Counties One Western West in North Devon.

Barnstaple and Wiveliscombe had to contend with a near gale force wind in this game between two teams one position apart in the table, Barnstaple being fourth and Wiveliscombe one place behind them.

Playing with the wind behind them n the first half Barnstaple created numerous scoring opportunities but a solid Wiveliscombe defence limited them to two tries from winger Ben Beattie and fly half Luke Knight. These two tries were converted by Haydn Gosling who also kicked a penalty to give the home team a 17pts 0pts lead after twenty four minutes.

Wiveliscombe had to work hard against the wind but thier scrummaging kept them in the game and a period of good pressure close to the home team’s tryline ended in a try for prop Will Ellis. The conversion was missed leaving the half time score 17-5 in favour of the home side.

Wiveliscombe had territorial advantage in the second half with their scrum providing good ball and it was Barnstaple’s turn to defend which they did well and the home team’s lineouts had been an asset throughout the game to give them good attacking positions.

Wiveliscombe closed the home side’s lead to seven points with a try from second row Ross Pearson who forced his way over the home side’s try line from a ruck. The conversion was missed leaving the North Devon outfit 17-10 to the good.

Wiveliscombe then suffered several injuries to their three quarters which affected their options in both attacking and defence and two tries during a ten minute spell by Barnstaple’s centre Callum Morgan won the game for the home side. Both conversions were missed leaving the North Devon side in a strong position at 27-10 up.

Despite their loss Wiveliscombe remain in fifth position in the table on 34 points with Kingsbridge and Redruth 2nd XV only one point behind on 33 points.

Wiveliscombe 2nd XV, who have been impressive all season in Counties Four Somerset South, kept up the pressure at the top of the table with a 57-5 away victory over Morganians at Bridgwater. It meant they stayed in second place only four points behind leaders Martock with a game in hand on forty-five points.

Burnham on Sea are in third spot, but some way behind the top two sides with 30 points.

Aaron Harris led the spree with three tries while Josh White went over for two tries. Other tries were scored by David Ademard, Ashley Irvine, Dan Strong and Archie Brammel while Bel Luxton was on target in difficult kicking conditions, landing six conversions in another fine display by Wivey’s second string.