WELLINGTON Rugby Club have parted company with their player-coach of only four months - Laurence Ovens.

Ovens joined the club in early July, having been recommended by Steve Pape who quit Wellington to join North Petherton on a two-year deal in the summer.

Wellington won only three out of nine matches in Western Counties West under Ovens before the club issued the following statement on Friday: “Following recent discussions with coach Lawrence Ovens, Wellington Rugby Club have come to the decision to let Lawrence go. Lawrence was appointed at the start of the season as a player coach and among other things, the club were disappointed that he had decided not to take an active part on the field of play.

“We are grateful for the contribution he has made in his short time at the club. We wish him well for the future.

“Temporary coaching arrangements have already been put in place as the club take time to address the situation and plan for the future.”

A prop forward, Ovens made 21 Premiership appearance for Bath between 2004 and 2009 before going on to play for Newcastle, Bedford Blues and Rosslyn Park.

It was thought that a player of Ovens’ experience would help Wellington’s crop of bright youngsters.

However, Ovens did not play one game for Wellington, insisting he was focussing on coaching.

Things began to come to a head when Wellington dropped to the bottom of Western Counties although they moved out of the drop zone with a nervy 24-19 home win over Torquay Athletic last Saturday week.

Having won six of their last nine matches at the end of last season, there were high hopes that Wellington would continue the improvement this season.

But Lawrence was adamant early on in the season that he would not be playing.

He said over the weekend: “Obviously I am disappointed. I was looking forward to the games running up to Christmas. I have enjoyed my time at the club. It is a fantastic club.

“I believe I can look myself in the mirror knowing I put in all the effort I could. However, this is the very nature of the business we are in.”