A WELLINGTON XV gained a thrilling 38-37 victory over Taunton Warriors in a rugby game played before a large crowd at the Athletic Ground.

It was one of three matches played on the day to mark the Wellington club’s 150-year anniversary, with the Vets and Vixens having played earlier.

Wellington’s game against Warriors could easily have gone the other way with the visitors scoring a try through Ben Dodd in the very last minute - but missing the crucial conversion which would have won them the match.

Yet Wellington threatened to run away with the game as they built up a lead of 38-17 at one stage in the second half. But Warriors hit back with four tries playing towards the Coram’s Lane end in the last 20 minutes - but time eventually ended their spirited fightback in an entertaining match.

Wellington, who used 27 players in the game, made a flying start with Ash Harney putting them ahead with a try after only three minutes which was converted by Danny Goverd.

Warriors were level with a converted try after 15 minutes but Will Hodgson put Wellington back in front with a try which was again converted by Goverd after 14 minutes.

Warriors reduced the arrears with an unconverted try to make it 14-12 after 28 minutes but George Hodgson and Johnny Clist stretched Wellington’s lead to 26-12 with tries before half time, with Goverd kicking another conversion.

Warriors response was an early unconverted try in the second half but Harney snapped up two more tries for Wellington, with Goverd converting one, to put Wellington into a commanding 38-17 lead after an hour’s play.

But Warriors, much the heavier side, showed plenty of character during the remainder of the match, scoring four tries during a devastating 12-minute spell which almost won them the game. But on the day both sides were the winners. . .