WIVELISCOMBE suffered their first rugby defeat of the season when they went down 20-7 at home to Barnstaple Athletic in Western Counties West over last weekend.            

The Athletic, the North Devon club’s second team, proved to be a useful outfit who got the better of the home team who struggled to reach the level of performance shown in their first two league matches of the season.    

Wiveliscombe were missing their excellent scrum half Richard Baker, out with a leg injury and the link  between forwards and threes was affected as was the centre pairing with Oliver Luxton returning from injury, again having a recurrence of the same injury early on in the game.

This obviously had a big affect on the display of the home side who had begun the season with two fine victories to set the early pace in Western Counties West.

Playing up the slope in the first half Barnstaple had a chance to score early on breaking away on the top touchline but the home defence stopped the move close to their tryline. The visitors did score soon after with a similar move finished by winger Ollie  Adams.

The two teams cancelled each other out for the remainder of the first half which ended woth the visitors holding a slender 5-0 lead.

Wiveliscombe’s set pieces worked well throughout the match and they were able to construct a good move resulting in a try for winger Dan Rottenbury which was converted by Will Thorne which meant the home side now led 7-5.

Wivey were heavily penalised throughout the game at the break down and for creeping offside.  Barnstaple went back into the lead with Tom Swales converting one of these penalties.

Wiveliscombe had a decent spell of pressure mid way through the second half and were awarded a penalty in the visitors twenty two, The kick was turned down and they elected to take a scrum which the visitors disrupted and the chance was gone.  The last quarter of the game belonged to Barnstaple with eye catching scrum half Ross Swales crossing for two tries with Tom Swales converting one.    

Wiveliscombe 2nd XV gained a splendid 64-14 win over Morganians.  Wivey’s second fifteen gave an excellent performance in this league encounter played at Plain Pond against their visitors from Bridgwater.

The home team crossed for ten tries with James Canfield leading the way with a hatrick. Seven players added a try each to gain an impressive victory - Josh Alford,  Cameron Palk, Paul Gridley, Elliott Deeks, Will Rubella, Isaac Hines and Tom Caughey. Cameron Palk added seven conversions to round off the scoring.     

Fixtures.  Sept 28, 1st XV v Tavistock (home) League, 3ko. 2nd XV. TBA.