There is a saying; ‘A week is an awfully long tine in politics’, and the same is most certainly true in rugby. Last week saw Wellington playing in freezing cold driving rain, which saw large puddles on the pitch, and a disappointing defeat This week under blue skies on a firm pitch, supporters were treated to an excellent display of rugby that saw the home side take a full five points.
Playing up the hill in the first half the large Bristol pack asserted early domination, and their backs showed intent to run the ball. Early scrum domination went to the Old Boys, but once the ever improving Luke Brereton started taking his bulky opposite number lower Wellington gained some parity.
With the ball Wellington got they looked dangerous and when Jack Woodland got on the end of a clever grubber kick he was just held up over the line. The resultant five metre scrum saw Tim Jenkinson barge his way over for a try which Matt Parsons converted.
The two tens then exchanged penalties, before the visitors caught a lineout from five metres out and used their bulkier pack to force their way over. The conversion made the score all square.
With only moments to go to half time another catch and drive from a line out saw an identical result which meant that the visitors went into the break 17 -10 up.
This proved to be their last success as Wellington then produced probably their best 40 minutes of the season to date. Woodland started the try scoring with his tenth try of the season, a brace from skipper Micky Norman soon followed, before Ben Williams got on the end of some slick hands to score in clubhouse corner.
The last try saw Neville Pitman gather the ball with the whole of the Old Boys pack in front of him. What followed can only be described as the parting of the red sea as he ran straight through the middle of the opposition untouched to score under the posts. Two Parsons conversions completed the scoring in what was a very satisfying day for the home side.
Next week sees a tricky away visit to Chew Valley who currently sit six places above Welly in fourth, on the form they showed today however you would be a brave man to bet against them bringing the spoils home.
Match Report: Mike Brewer