In a highly entertaining encounter Wellington thoroughly deserved to win the Cup. The two teams were evenly matched, up front Nailsea dominated the scrums whilst The Red & Blacks dominated the lineouts with the loose play even but it was out in the three-quarters that Wellington had the edge.
The Red & blacks started the match with bang scoring a try after two minutes when flanker Joe Coppin powered his way over the line after a fine attacking move, the conversion attempt from the touchline went wide. Further pressure by Wellington resulted in Nailsea giving away a series of penalties one of which was coolly slotted between the posts by full back, and man of the match, Tom Hawkings.
Further guilt edged scoring chances were created by The Red & Blacks but unfortunately these chances could not be capitalised on. After the initial onslaught Nailsea started to play some rugby themselves and with 5 minutes of the half remaining they scored a well worked try, the conversion attempt was missed making the half time score 8 – 5 to The Red & Blacks.
The second half started much the same as the first with The Red & Blacks in the ascendancy. After a fine attacking move by Wellingtons three quarters move saw Hawkings enter the line at pace to score underneath the posts, he made no mistake with the conversion to extend The Red & Blacks lead to 15 – 5.
The Red & Blacks gained excellent field position after Nailsea had infringed in midfield. The resultant attacking lineout was excellent claimed by No 8 Cam Venn, the ball was found its way to flanker Liam Phillips who thundered into the line taking would be tacklers with him, the ball was transferred to winger Joe Grinzer who beat the covering defence to score in the corner.
The conversion once again from the touchline was missed, the score now 20 – 5 to The Red & Blacks. Wellington now thought that they hand one hand on the cup but Nailsea had other thoughts and with ten minutes remaining they tripled their efforts breaching The Red & Blacks defence twice to score two converted tries to make the final minutes of the match a spine tingling affair.
But this was going to Wellingtons day, they immediately put pressure on Nailsea who failed to deal with the re-start, the referee blew his whistle to end the game much to the delight of the players and substantial travelling support alike. Final score Wellington 20 – 19 to The Red & Blacks.
Match report: Allyn Chetland