WELLINGTON Rugby Club are to hold a players’ meeting shortly to choose another captain following the decision of their outstanding skipper Paddy Jarman to step down.

Fly-half Jarman, who has led the side for three successful seasons, has graduated from university and is looking for a job which will suit his skills. This means he cannot guarantee his commitment for the whole season if the right opportunity comes along.

“As a club we are obviously hoping that Paddy can find employment close to home so he can once again wear the Red & Black shirt,” said club coach Allyn Chetland.

Jarman took over the captaincy in difficult circumstances with the lst XV having just been relegated from Western Counties West, going down to the Cornwall & Devon League. In his first season he led the team to promotion, bouncing straight back to Western Counties West, going up as champions of Cornwall and Devon League. Wellington also won the Somerset Vase the same winter.

In his second season he led the team to third place in Western Counties, missing out on back to back promotions by the narrowest of margins after the team were harshly deducted points.

He again took the reigns during the past season, winning promotion as champions of Western Counties, to South West One West – the highest level the team has ever played in.

Cup rugby was also on the agenda, with the 1st XV crowned South West champions in the RFU National Intermediate Cup and only one game away from playing in the final at Twickenham before Covid-19 reared its ugly head.

Chetland added: “Paddy’s commitment over the past three seasons can only be described as outstanding – and he has barely missed a game in those three seasons.”

Wellington 2nd XV’s skipper Andrew Bellamy has made it known he would like to stay in the role this season.

Covid-19 restrictions have changed to allow Wellington to play inter-club games, rather than just training in groups of six.