Rugby: Winscombe run in seven tries to see off Wellington

At the weekend the Winscombe 1st XV entertained Wellington in Regional 2 Tribute South West and posted a handsome win to maintain their position in a congested mid-league table.

Winscombe started strongly and were soon on the scoreboard courtesy of a typically powerful run by No8 Tom Hawkins who stretched for the line and grounded the ball after being brought down a metre out.

Winscombe scrum-half Lewis Podpadec then scored two tries in quick succession in the same place wide to the left, the first after some good link play amongst the backs, the second after gathering his neat chip over the top of a charging Wellington defence.

All three first-half Winscombe tries were converted by centre Sam Dearlsey.

Shortly before the break Wellington rallied and scored an unconverted try in the left corner to cut the deficit, but still went in 21-5 down.

Winscombe steadily built on their lead in the second half, Podpadec scoring his third after dotting the ball over the try-line from the back of a ruck before lock Aled Corcoran powered over from ten metres out and Hawkins scored his second off the back of a dominant scrum.

In the last play of the game, the ball was moved swiftly to the right and Podpadec broke through a ragged Wellington defensive line to score once more, this time beneath the posts.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon, however, was reserved for prop Simon Thompson who stepped up to slot the conversion and seal a handsome bonus-point win.

Winscombe entertain North Petherton next weekend in a twice re-arranged fixture from earlier in the season and will hope to build on this momentum.

Keeley Banfield marked 100 games for Bridgwater United Women.