WELLINGTON lst XV face one of their toughest rugby matches of the season when they play away to Tiverton in Regional Two South West on Saturday, March 1.

The Devon side, who are lying third in the table, will be looking to pull off the season's double against Wellington, having hammered their rivals 66-10 in a ruthless display at the Athletic Ground in November.

The following weekend (March 8) Wellington, who are hovering just above the relegation zone, play away to Truro who are lying second from bottom.

"We cannot look too far ahead," said Wellington's head coach Graham Dawe. "First, we have to prepare to play Tiverton and get some form. Obviously, we want to field the strongest side we can which has not been possible in recent weeks."

However, Wellington are expected to include vice-captain George Hodgson in thire line-up after he successfully came through the home loss against North Petherton following a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury.

"The knee was a big sore afterwards but I think he will be fine to face Tiverton,” added Dawe. “And hopefully he will be available to play against Truro too. But, of course, the skipper Danny Lee will again be missing."

Wellington 2nd XV also return to action this weekend when they play at home against second from bottom Somerton (2.30p.m.). Wellington are lying eighth, having fallen off the pace in recent months and conceding the game away to Tor in their last scheduled fixture due to a shortage of front row players.

Wiveliscombe lst XV will be chasing the season's double over Bideford when they play the North Devon side at The Rec in Counties One Western West (2.30p.m.). Wiveliscombe beat Bideford 13-10 in mid-November, but have since lost four successive games and will be keen to get back to winning ways.

After hammering Tor IIs 90-0 at home last Saturday, Wiveliscombe 2nd XV go into their home game against their Yeovil counterparts in Counties Four Somerset South only four points behind leaders Martock with a crucial game in hand.

Martock have no match this coming weekend which means Wiveliscombe can go above their title rivals if they beat Yeovil - with both teams having three more games to play. Wiveliscombe are due to play at home to Martock on Saturday, March 22, which should decide which side finishes as champions.

Meanwhile, Wellington Rugby Club are close to selling out of tickets for their 150th year Gala Dinner to be held in a marquee on the Athletic Ground on Thursday, April 24, when the guest speakers will be former rugby stars Mike Teague, Peter Winterbottom and Dean Richards.

"We've sold nearly 300 tickets and there are not many left," said club secretary Ashley Colman earlier this week.

The event is one of four being staged between April 24-28. There is a charity event on the Friday, 25th, which is being organised by the club's physio Trish Acton, and the following day the club's U18s, vets, Vixens and men will be involved in a full day of rugby. The minis and juniors will take centre stage at the Athletic Ground on Sunday, April 27.

Wellington RFC’s chairman Gareth Hodgson says preparations for the anniversary weekend ‘are well advanced.’