This match was expected to be a tough affair but all did not go according to plan for the visitors as the improving home side put up a great fight and countered their opponents for long periods of play. However despite this Truro eventually managed to exploit the home side’s defensive frailties to run out easy winners.
The Red and Blacks got into their stride from the first whistle which brought an early score with number 8 Micky Norman charging down a clearance kick and collecting it to go over in the corner for an unconverted try. This was followed shortly after when further rucks allowed fly half Doug Baker time to calmly measure a drop goal to stretch the lead.
These early setbacks stung the Saints into action and they reduced the deficit on the twenty minute mark when prop Daren Jacques drove over following a passage of play in the home 22, the conversion being missed.
A flowing move followed after the restart with Jacques displaying an admirable turn of speed to set up his front row compatriot, hooker Ben Teasedale, for the next 5 pointer for the visitors to take the lead which they never relinquished.
Two tries in the last 10 minutes of the extended half followed for the Cornishmen when a catch and drive was quickly shifted out to wing Matt Cross to score. A further try followed in somewhat controversial circumstances when a penalty awarded for an alleged punch, for which a Wellington player was sin binned, rebounded off an upright. The subsequent scramble saw the visitors regain possession and centre Carl Ranscombe go over although a potential tackler was illegally blocked in one of a number of instances where the visitors enjoyed a charmed life, fly half Jake Champion converting.
Wellington quickly got back into the match after the break with a powerful display from their forwards where Dave Swann and Ross Ward were dominant in the loose and line-outs respectively. The pressure set up prop Lee Wadham for a try which went unconverted.
Further immense pressure from the home pack saw a rolling maul propelled some 30 metres with the visitors simply unable to resist with Swann scoring his first try for the Club in front of the delighted supporters in the Clubhouse corner. With fly half Baker off the field with an injury another all important conversion went wide but the gap was down to just 4 points.
Truro gradually regained their composure from the unexpected onslaught and made an effective raid down the wing and transferred play back inside to their dangerous number 8 Ashley Riches who found a gap to go through with Champion adding the extras and then slotting over a penalty shortly after.
Still the Chiefs pushed forward and their efforts paid off when they gained their first league point of the season with their fourth try when scrum half Tim Jenkinson grounded the ball from another Ward catch at a lineout and the following drive and ruck.
The final minute of the match saw Truro make the score look a little more respectable than the home side deserved as a midfield break by Ranscombe could not be stopped with Champion converting.
The Wellington youngsters are having to learn on the job and whilst they are making progress experience, particularly in defence, doesn’t come quickly but with their youthful commitment they will surely begin to get the results their ambition deserves before long.
Next week’s matches:
The Firsts travel to Wadebridge Camels who were relegated into the Tribute Western Counties West division last season. Whilst they have won 2 of their 4 matches Wellington will be looking to get a positive result from this mid-table team.
The Seconds are at home to Chew Valley in their next Tribute Somerset One match with the game being supported by Judy and John Terry to whom the Club are most grateful.
The Thirds are also at home to Ivel Babrbarians in their Tribute Somerset Two division encounter with this game being sponsored by Guy Vickery.
The U18’s entertain their Wivey counterparts in the Somerset U18 league with Dave and Julia Wicks supporting this match the venue for which is yet to be confirmed.