WELLINGTON Under 15s gained a 36-24 home success over North Petherton in a game between two evenly matched teams.

It was Wellington’s defensive effort that was the main difference between the two sides .Playing on the main pitch and away from the clubhouse for the first half Wellington opened the scoring with Ruan rounding off some good passing in the backs to go down the wing to score. CJ added the extras.

James then smashed his way over to make it 12-0 before North Petherton hit back with a try of their own to make it 12-5 which is how it was at half time.

North Petherton pressurised the Wellington line on numerous occasions in the first half but exceptional defence by Wellington, not only stopping some very big and physical players but knocking them back, meant they had nothing to show for their efforts other than the one try.

The visitors started the second half strongly and on the attack but once again the Wellington defence held firm and it was they who scored first through Alex followed by another try for Ruan and then one for Archie which was converted by CJ to make it 26-5.

North Petherton then managed to breach the Wellington defence to take their score to 12 before Wellington scored the try of the match. After another massive defensive shift on their own line the ball found its way to scrum half Jack inside his own 22. CJ was in support and Jack threw a superb dummy before accelerating through a gap in the defensive line and running the length of the pitch to score.

North Petherton scored again to make it 31-17 and there was still time for one more try from Alex and a converted try from North Petherton to make the final score 36-24.

This was a great game of rugby enjoyed by the big crowd. Wellington showed how much they have developed over the season with a defensive effort as good as they have ever delivered combined with some solid attacking play.

As well as scoring two tries Alex was at the heart of the defensive effort, putting in numerous tackles along with Salvador and Tom. James was a constant threat in the ruck, turning over North Petherton ball on regular occasions. All players played their part with a ‘they shall not pass’ approach which saw numerous last ditch tackles, either putting the attacking player into touch or forcing knock-ons or turnovers.

Both sides were guilty of not seeing opportunities to move the ball wide through the hands more and missed opportunities to create overlaps but that will come. A great game of rugby between two evenly matched teams.

DF