WELLINGTON 2nd XV bounced back to winning form with a 34-22 home victory over Chard 2nd XV in Counties Three Somerset South to complete the season’s double over their rivals.

It enabled them to stay seventh in the table with a record of seven wins and seven losses from their 14 league matches to date.

Welly 2’s defence was much improved and being led by veteran player/coach Graeme Smith, repelled several Chard attacks, before full back James George scored Wellington’s first try. This was followed by a try from Garryn Basson. who crashed over from a penalty five yards out from the Chard line. Both defences held firm before Chard managed to get on the score sheet just before half time.

Playing down the slope, it wa not long before flying winger Charlie Higgs scored Welly’s third. Two more tries were added, George Griffin and Rob Hooper both crossing the whitewash and Hooper converting his own try.

Chard dug deep and scored 3 tries of their own, one of which was converted. Chard were only one score behind in the dying minutes of the game and nerves were starting to fray!

However, up stepped Jon Long to apply the Coup de Grace, intercepting a Chard pass on the Wellington 22 and then scorching the length of the pitch to score under the posts, before converting his own try.

Meanwhile, Castle Cary maintained their position at the top of the table despite losing 15-5 away to Tor who are lying third in the table.

The South Somerset side will be looking to get back to winning ways when they play at home to Wellington 2nd XV this coming weekend.

Bridgwater, who trail Chard by six points, are away to Chard who have slipped to tenth in the table.