INJURY-HIT Wellington, fourth from bottom in Regional Two South West, have a crucial game against Teignmouth at the Athletic Ground on Saturday, January 18 (2.30).

Wellington have been badly hit by injuries and players being unavailable this season and have lost ten of their 15 matches, leaving them close to the relegation zone.

They lost away to Winscombe last Saturday when they were without a number of first team regulars, including skipper Danny Lee, vice-caption George Hodgson, Ash Harney, Cam Venn, Alex Davy, Micky Taylor and Liam Phillips.

“We have some good players at the club - the problem is getting them all on the field at the same time and in the right positions,” said head coach Graham Dawe. " We have not been able to do this for a long time.

“We chose to play up the slope at Winscombe and although we started well we found ourselves 22-0 down at half time. Again it was defensive errors which let us down - it’s something which has been happening a lot

“We came back into the game and scored a couple of good tries but it was not enough, although we did have plenty of possession. It is a very competitive division and you have to be on your game.”

Wellington, however, will be chasing the season’s double over Teignmouth, having beaten the Devon side 20-15 away earlier this season.

Dawe added: “We played very well at Teignmouth - we definitely deserved to win. However, they are no mugs - they have a very tidy pack of forwards.”

Wellington 2nd XV, having beaten their Chard counterparts at home in Counties Three Somerset South last weekend, face a tough away match against leaders Castle Cary who have lost only one fixture this season.

Cary have a six-point lead at the top of the table while second-placed Bridgwater & Albion have a crucial game in hand. Wellington are seventh with 31 points from their 14 matches.

Wiveliscombe lst XV will be hoping for a return to action when they play at home to Kingsbridge in Counties One Western West on Saturday, January 18.

They were due to play at home to St Ives last weekend but the fixture was called off following pitch inspections at the Rec and Plain Pond with both grounds being badly affected by frost.

Kingsbridge did manage to play last Saturday and put up a spirited display before losing 26-17 away to Barnstaple’s second team who are fourth in the table and have stretched their lead over fifth-placed Wiveliscombe to 14 points.

Wiveliscombe 2nd XV, whose game last weekend against Hornets at Weston was also postponed because of the bad weather, are away to Minehead 2nd XV in Counties Four Somerset South.

Wiveliscombe are lying second the table, 14 points adrift of Martock who have played three more matches than their rivals. Minehead are in fourth spot and are also enjoying a good season. They trail Wivey’s second string by four points.