WIVELISCOMBE secured a hard-earned 31-28 home victory over Nailsea & Backwell in Regional Two South West which enabled them to move up to fifth in the table, writes Roger Bellamy.

Victory was centred around a strong performance from Wivey’s pack which gave the visitors problems throughout. The Ravens three-quarters kept their team in the game with well constructed moves and a solid defence.

Playing up the slope Wivey were soon putting pressure on the visitors’ try line with a series of rucks and mauls which resulted in their first try through prop Matthew Ellis. Flyhalf Olly Stanbury converted.

The Ravens’ prop Mark Hooper levelled the score with a try in the bottom corner converted by full back Harry O'Regan.

The Ravens took the lead with winger Joey Collins showing good pace to score wide out, while Harry O'Regan added the conversion

Wivey levelled the score after being awarded a penalty try with the visitors collapsing a driving maul.

Nailsea & Backwell crossed for their third try just before the break with O'Regan finishing off another good three-quarter move, He converted the try to give his team a 21-14 half-time lead.

Wivey narrowed the visitors lead to 19-21early in the second half with a try from Stanbury and the final result was going to be close either way.

No8 Charlie Cox gave the visitors a 19-28 lead with a try converted by O'Regan.

Wivey hooker Tom Stone crossed for his team’s fourth bonus point try closing the gap to 24-28.

Time was running out and it looked as though the visitors would hold on but Wiveliscombe’s pack had other ideas and won the game with another period of pressure ending in a second try for prop William Ellis, Replacement back George Morgan slotted the all important conversion.

Fixtures Nov 21,. 1st XV v Tiverton (away) League; 2nd XV v Castle Cary (away) League.