WELLINGTON U15s played their first game under lights against Ashley Down Old Boys - and gained a fine 35-21 victory.

Ashley Down were on their way to Devon on tour and stopped off on their way with a big squad of over 30 players.

With both teams keen to impress the large crowd the match started at a frenetic pace.. Wellington started well and after being under some early pressure they got into the Ashley Down 22. Ashley Down won the ball and produced a good clearance kick but it found Tom Farrow on halfway and he raced round the defence to score a great try, converted by Brock Vallance.

Ashley Down proved they were here to play some rugby as well and scored a good try themselves before Farrow went on another great run, this time getting tackled 10 yards out. But he managed to get a superb pass out the back to Ben Briddon who powered over. Again converted by Vallance who wouldn't miss all night. The scored remained 14 to 7 until half-time and the match was swinging one way then the other.

Jack Parker was playing well putting in tackle after tackle down the blindside and Will Barnes, George Williams and Brock Vallance were also tackling like machines. Indeed the whole team were tackling better than they have all season.

The second half started at the same pace as the first with Ashley Down completely changing their team at half-time. After several phases Wellington created a big overlap on the left but they looked to have butchered it by throwing a big miss pass when simple hands would have been easier. However Bailey Lee produced a great finish beating two players to touch down in the corner. Vallance produced his best kick of the night to nail the conversion. Ashley Down then scored to make it 21 to 14. After more great play from the whole team Jonah Richardson scored (again converted by Vallance) to give Welly some breathing space.

It was good to see Thomas Gendall back in a Wellington shirt and he would set up the next score with a massive box kick from scrum half. With Ollie Owen chasing it down the full back missed it and it bounced up into Ollie's hands as he raced under the posted for his 20th try of the season. Ashley Down then scored again to make the final score 35 to 21.

This was a superb advert for U15's rugby and the boys went on to enjoy some time in the clubhouse afterwards. They were much improved on the last two weeks with much better discipline resulting in far fewer penalties being given away. Tom Farrow was player of the match.