WELLINGTON suffered a surprise 26-15 home defeat against bottom side Burnham on Sea in their last match of the season in Regional Two South West, writes Barry Knott.

Burnham went into the game with only two wins all season, yet they belied their lowly position in the table and were the better side throughout. They dominated the match and never looked like losing.

Wellington were without skipper Danny Lee (injured hand) and the unavailable Cam Venn, and both players were sorely missed.

Lee, who had to have surgery on an infected hand following an injury sustained playing against North Petherton and watched the match with his arm in a sling, was replaced as skipper by the talented George Hodgson who could not be blamed for his side's lack-lustre display.

Burnham never looked like a side already doomed to play Western Counties rugby next season. They spent almost the entire first half in Wellington's half.

Wellington's head coach Graham Dawe, who missed the game, said afterwards: "Obviously we missed two good ball carriers in Danny and Cam. It is a disappointing result for us but we still have the cup to look forward (Wellington play Cullompton at home on Saturday in the Papa Johns KO Cup).

"Hopefully we can have a good run in this competition. It is something to look forward to and keeps the season alive."

Burnham took the lead with a converted try on 24 minutes, shortly after Mikey Taylor had limped off with a leg injury. It followed content pressure by Burnham who were kept out by good defensive play early on by the home side.

Wellington finally got on the scoresheet in the 34th minute when they broke clear and Ash Harney raced 40 yards before touching down in the corner at the clubhouse end. The conversion kick from wide out was missed by Tom Owens against a swirling wind.

Wellington were fortunate at this stage to be only two points down but Burnham pounced again to snap up a converted try seconds before half time.

And things got even worse for Wellington, playing towards the Coram's Lane end, when Burnham stretched their lead with a try shortly after the start of the second half.

The home side went close to scoring a try when Cory Jenkinson suffered a bad bounce, but they eventually reduced the deficit with a try by Callum Warren who crashed over. Owen missed the conversion from wide out.

Wellington still needed two scores to win but their hopes of getting back in the game suffered another setback when Burnham scored a fourth try which was again converted.

Wellington did manage to score a try again through Harney towards the end but by then it was far too late. Alex Davey, on as a replacement, could not add the extra points on a difficult day for kicking.

Elsewhere, champions Sidmouth beat North Petherton 43-14 to record their 21st victory of the season, losing only once in 22 matches - a splendid record. They finished 14 points clear of Wadebridge Camels who ended their season with a 29-0 home success against Chard who are relegated along with Burnham, and finished second.

Topsham won 57-19 at home to Cullompton to finish third with Crediton fourth despite losing 24-17 away to Truro.

Wellington ended their season ninth in the division, four down on the previous winter, with eight wins and 14 losses from their 22 matches -, and a points deficit of 129.

Teignmouth moved above Wellington after they beat Newton Abbot 27-20 at home in their final game.