WELLINGTON'S rugby coach Graham Dawe has expressed his disappointment at the number of injuries incurred by the lst XV during the club's 150th year celebratory season.

Skipper Danny Lee and vice-captain George Hodgson will not play again this season, while second row Josh Hancock, back rower Liam Phillips and full back Alex Davey are all nursing injuries.

The former England and Bath hooker said: "It's so disappointing, particularly during this particular season. They're all crucial and experienced players. We've been regularly playing matches with a third of the team out every week.

"The young lads who have come in have done a great job. But they need to gain experience slowly - not be thrown in every week.

"Normally you have injuries like this about every ten years. Unfortunately, we've been hit during a season when we wanted to do well.

"We know that when we are at full-strength we can give any side in this division (Regional Two South West) a good game."

Wellington's influential skipper Lee is to have an operation on an injured shoulder while a scan on Hodgson's injured knee has revealed damaged ligaments which may be sorted with the 'right rehab without surgery.' Although he has been training Wellington will not risk playing him again this season.

Hancock has also been sidelined with a neck injury, Phillips has knee trouble while the club's kicker Davey has a calf problem.

"Obviously this has affected our form and we’ve had a lot of players unavailable for matches for one reason or another but we did well to beat Teignmouth at home recently," added Dawe. "But it is what it is. You have to accept it and get on with it."

Meanwhile, Wellington will be back in action after an enforced fortnight's break when they play at home to North Petherton in the league on Saturday, September 15 (2.30).

It is an important game because both Wellington and Petherton, who have the same number of points, are just hovering above the relegation zone.

The sides play each other on the back of defeats. Wellington lost 71-22 away to leaders and 100 per centers Topsham while Petherton went down 27-5 at home to Tiverton who are handily placed in third spot.

Victory for one or the other on Saturday would go a long way to virtually ensuring a place in Regional Two South West for another season.

Wellington 2nd XV find themselves with another blank weekend in Counties Three Somerset South. They stay seventh despite not playing again last weekend.

Meanwhile, Wiveliscombe will be looking to end a lean spell in Counties One Western West when they play away to Plymouth Albion Oaks who are lying two places above their rivals, in fourth spot.

Wivey lost their third successive game when they went down 29-12 at home to St Ives, who are down in eighth place.

Wiveliscombe's second string, who have moved up to within nine points of leaders Martock in Counties Four Somerset South. are away to Weston Super Mare's third string who are fifth in the table. Wiveliscome have two matches in hand on Martock and the sides are set to play each other in what is likely to be a title decider at The Rec on Saturday, March 22. Both teams have lost only once this season but Wiveliscombe have a far superior points difference.