WELLINGTON’S hopes of pulling off a double over Cullompton - and their eighth rugby win of the season - were dashed when they went down 28-26 away to their Devon rivals in a thrilling game in Regional Two South West.

It was always going to be a close game with only three points separating the sides - with Cullompton lying eighth in the table and Wellington ninth.

Wellington made a flying start, going 7-0 up after ten minutes but the Devon side hit back to lead 21-7 not long into the second half.

Wellington closed the gap to only two points after 70 minutes, only to concede a converted try five minutes later.

George Hodgson, captaining Wellington in the absence of Danny Lee, went over for an early try for Wellington which was converted by Danny Goverd.

However, Wellington found themselves 21-7 down after 55 minutes as Cullompton scored three converted tries, two of them coming before the interval.

Will Hodgson then went over from a try which was converted by Goverd to make it 21-14, and Liam Phillips also scored a five-pointer which went unconverted to put the visitors within two points of the home side.

But another converted try by Cullompton in the 75th minute proved decisive meaning Wellington needed to score twice with the clock now being against them.

Goverd snapped up a try which he also converted, leaving Wellington two points adrift with little time to score again.

However, the game was a splendid advert for Regional Two South West rugby with Wellington having to settle for ninth place in the table, their place in the division having been secured a fortnight earlier when they gained a brilliant home win over Crediton who had already made sure of finishing runners-up to champions Topsham.

Wellington finished ahead of three teams - Teignmouth, Truro and Newton Abbot - whose position is not certain for next season.