WIVELISCOMBE hosted neighbours Wellington on the Recreation ground for this second 2026/27 pre-season friendly for the home team which was always going to have that extra interest as these games between the two always has for both sets of supporters, writes Roger Bellamy.

Both clubs used the good number of players in their squads in a game played over the full ninety minutes with changes being made at regular intervals throughout.

All the points in the game were scored with both teams playing down the slope apart from one try from the visitors.

Wiveliscombe had the edge in the first half with their pack putting the visitors eight under pressure close to their try line resulting in two tries for hooker Tom Stone. Centre Will Thorne and winger Dan Rottenbury crossed for Wiveliscombe’s other two tries.

Tom Slade crossed for Wellington first half try. Wellington had the edge in the second half running the ball whenever the chance arose.

The game lost a certain amount of competition when the scrums were reduced to no pushing because of injuries. Wellington’s three-quarter Kewa Ademuyiwa looked dangerous throughout the game and crossed for the visitors’ second try.

Wellington’s new skipper for this season Olly Price went over for the visitors third try with Alex Davey levelling the scores.

The good crowd, with.both sets of supporters having the chance to cheer for their teams, can now look forward to their teams’ first league matches this coming weekend.

Fixtures for Wiveliscombe, 26th Sept, 1st XV v Okehampton (away), League; 2nd XV v Tor (home) League, 3p.m. kick-off.

Wiveliscombe will be playing in Regional Two South West this season, having been promoted as champions of Western Counties West at the end of last winter.