WELLINGTON RFC U15s gained a last-gasp 36-31 away win over Tiverton, scoring the winning points with the last play of the game, having not led all match.

With Wellington playing down the slope in the first half Tiverton opened the scoring with a strong run helped by some slack tackling to lead 7-0. The Wellington boys then dominated territory and possession before a planned move from a linout close to the Tiverton line saw Alex charge through before popping a pass to Theo who dived over to score to make it 7-5.

Despite Wellington having most possession and tackling hard Tiverton scored again after Wellington tried to run the ball out from under their own post to make it 14-5 and then scored again to make it 19-5 at half time.

However, Wellington weren’t out of it as they were dominating the scrum and just needed to be more competitive at the ruck where Tiverton had been dominant. Playing up the slope in the second half Wellington came out of the traps quickly running the ball hard and tightening up at the ruck.

Within minutes of the restart CJ scored the try of the match, and a try of the season contender. Receiving the ball in his 22 he started running it back evading and breaking tackles before chipping ahead, then showing some silky skills to dribble the ball over the try line to score the try to make the score 19-10.

From the restart good hands and strong running saw Ruan score under the posts with CJ converting to make the score 19-17 and Wellington were right back in it.Tiverton then upped their game and put pressure on the Wellington line before scoring to make it 24-17.

However Wellington weren’t finished and Ruan broke through the defensive line to score. With CJ converting that brought the scores level at 24-24. But Tiverton weren’t finished either and hit back with a seven pointer to make the score 31-24.

With not long left the U15s dug deep and from the kick off ferocious tackling and rucking pinned Tiverton back in their own half. Two massive scrums on the Tiverton put in put pressure on their back line and some panicked passing saw the ball go in to touch near the Tiverton try line.

A pre planned line out move saw Alex crash over to make the score 31-29. With the referee saying there were only two minutes left to play Wellington gathered the ball from the restart and began to move upfield with some strong running.

The supporting rucking and clearing out was exceptional and a real step up from the first half meaning they retained possession with backs and forwards combining to punch holes in the Tiverton defence. The pressure told and Theo took the ball to crash over to make it 31-34 as Wellington took the lead for the first time.. CJ added the conversion and the referee blew for full time.

.This was a true team performance with everyone playing their part. Some of the tacking was outstanding, the scrum was dominant and once they made some adjustments the rucking was excellent. This was.a. fantastic advert for U15 rugby played between two evenly matched teams. Wellington deserve huge credit for never giving up and keeping playing to the last minute. Player of the match was Theo.