WIVELISCOMBE went down to a thrilling 40-39 defeat away to Okehampton in their first South West Regional Two match of the season in Devon, writes Roger Bellamy.

The home team finished fourth in the division last season and were expected to give Wiveliscombe a stern test, especially up front with their large forwards. The game actually turned out to be an excellent game of rugby decided by a single point at full time.

Okehampton crossed for six tries with fly half Leon Horn leading the way with two, while back row forward Kane Young, full back Rob Fishliegh, second row Brad Curtis and hooker Jack Rutley added another four tries. Morgan Woods converted five.

Among Wiveliscombe’s try scorers were captain Will Ellis, centre Will Ruell and scrum half Richard Baker.

Wiveliscombe, playing their first match since their championship-winning season, missed a conversion with the last kick of the match and ended with two bonus points, one for scoring four tries and one for being with-in seven points of Okehampton.

Wiveliscombe’s second team opened their 2026/27 season with a 50-15 defeat against a useful Tor 1st XV on the Wivey Rec in Counties 3 Somerset South.

Tor always looked the stronger team but Wiveliscombe had their moments and probably deserved more than the three tries they scored through Dean Rawles, Dan Smyth Moore and W. Evans. Tor crossed for eight tries, through George Gadd (2), Alex Scott, Toby Newbury Barlow, Reuben Murdock North, Callum Bird, Will Curtis and Nick Kitchen. Dan Farriday added three conversions and Alex Scott two.

Fixtures, Oct 3rd, Wiveliscombe 1st XV v North Petherton 1st XV (home) League; Wiveliscombe 2nd XV v Burnham on Sea 2nd XV (home), League, 3p.m. KO.