WELLINGTON gained revenge for a narrow defeat at North Petherton in December with a 26-19 home victory over their rivals in Regional Two South West, despite playing for most of the game with 14 men, writes Barry Knott.

Wellington had Billy Brooks harshly red carded after only eight minutes for what the referee deemed a dangerous tackle although most home supporters felt otherwise.

Wellington's head coach Graham Dawe said afterwards: "By the letter of the law it was a sending off and I can understand the decision. But you have to back the referee.

"Despite being down to 14, it was a clinical performance. We certainly had more possession even though we were a man short.

"I don't like naming individuals but Chris Batts came back into the side and held the defence together. I thought our scrum held up well against a bigger Petherton pack.

"We still had players missing and so it will be good to have a selection headache for our next game. That’s a nice headache to have.”

The sending off did not seem to have much of an affect on Wellington who took the lead in the 16th minute with a try by Evan Greening which went unconverted, mainly because a strong wind made it very difficult for the kickers.

Wellington were looking for a second score when Petherton snapped up an interception try only two minutes later with no one in a position to prevent it and it was converted to make the score 7-5 very much against the run of play.

Wellington overcame the loss of injured second row Regan Walker on 25 minutes - he came back on later in the game - to add to their lead through outstanding skipper Danny Lee who broke several tackles before going over with Tom Owen adding the conversion points.

Wellington went in at half time 12-7 ahead but Petherton snapped up an unconverted try to level the scores at 12-12 within a minute of the second half starting.

However, Wellington regained the lead in the 50th minute through Liam Phillips with Owen converting, and the same player went over again at the clubhouse end, again with Owen kicking the extra points, to put the home side 26-12 up.

It was a deserved lead but Wellington should have scored more points, with the amount of possession they had.

Petherton made the score look more respectable with a try at the very end which was converted wide out despite the swirling wind.

The mini section of both clubs formed a guard of honour for the players before the match got underway.

Meanwhile Wellington moved up to eighth in the table, four points behind Petherton, following the win over Pethy.

Elsewhere, leaders and new champions Sidmouth gained a 64-24 away win over Newton Abbot to stay 12 points clear of second-placed Crediton who won 59-41 against Topsham.

At the other end of the table, bottom side Burnham on Sea, who play at Wellington on Saturday, April 6, put up a spirited fight before losing 36-29 at home to Wadebridge Camels.

With only one league game remaining, Wellington find themselves only four points behind seventh-placed Petherton whose last game is away to Sidmouth who have lost only one of their 21 matches this season.

Wellington have no lst XV game this weekend, but the Athletic Ground is the venue for the clash between Wellington 2nd XV and Wiveliscombe 2nd XV tomorrow (2.30). Wellington have already beaten their Wiveliscombe counterparts twice this season.

Match sponsors: Tony Wardell, Neil Bache, Glen Bramhall. Match ball: Allyn Chetland.