WIVELISCOMBE lost their last match of the season in Counties One Western West when they went down 24-15 away to Penryn who retained their status in the division following their victory.

Wiveliscombe, who were lying sixth in the division before this game, realised they were in for a testing afternoon with Penryn, who are celebrating their 150th season, intent on winning this game after losing to their opponents 34-7 at Wiveliscombe on the opening day of the season.

Penryn are a well supported team in Cornwall and Wivey arrived after their long coach trip to find the ground full of spectators ready to cheer their team to victory.

Wiveliscombe, not at full strength, realised soon in the game they would have to contend with a lively home team desperate to secure their league status.

Playing down a slight slope with the wind in their favour, Penryn started strongly, keeping Wivey pinned in and around their twenty two. Good forwards pressure ended in a try for hooker C Hellier to give Penryn a 5pts 0pts lead.

Wiveliscombe began to create some space once they had run off the coach journey and full back Will Thorne finished off a nice move to level the scores at 5-all.

The game became increasingly physical with the referee having to use his whistle on numerous occasions. Wiveliscombe took a 10pts 5pts lead midway through the first half with a try from winger Reece Hale to increase the pressure on the home team.

Chances were created by both teams but Penryn took the lead through a second try from Hellier which was converted by fullback R Banks to give the home team a 12pts-10pts lead at half time.

Playing with the slope and wind Wiveliscombe were hoping to increase the pressure on the home team but it was Penryn who increased their lead with their third try from back row forward J. Cumberland. Banks added his second conversion of the game for a 19-10 lead for the home outfit.

A third try from the visitors through prop Matt Ellis reduced the home team’s lead to four points and both teams had all to play for at 19pts-15. The last quarter of the game produced yellow cards for both teams but Penryn secured the victory and their place in the same league next season with their fourth bonus point try from J Salisbury for a 24-15 success.

Wiveliscombe can be reasonably pleased with their mid table league position of the 2024/ 25 season after a much tougher time the previous winter.

Meanwhile, Wiveliscombe 2nd XV, already winners of the Somerset Division Four League title and promoted to Division Three next season, completed their 2024/25 league fixtures with a comprehensive 80-7 win over Bridgewater’s fourth team.

Wiveliscombe scored a total of fourteen tries. Captain Dave Ademard crossed for four of the tries scored, five of which were converted.

Wiveliscombe have lost just one of their eighteen league matches this season and credit must go to both players and team managers for the effort they have shown this season.

Wiveliscombes Colts produced one of their best performances of the season to beat Nailsea & Backwell Colts 70-0 at home with a comprehensive display. Their coaches agreed the win was based around Wiveliscombe’s excellent support play.