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BARFC 31, Chard 27 (12/09/15)

| 12/09/2015

This 5 point victory moves Bridgwater into second place in the league behind Weston super Mare on points difference. Chard rallied well at the end of the game to gain not only a losing bonus point but a four try bonus point also.
Bridgwater gave a starting debut to Italian flanker, Luca Ercolani and a home debut start to scrum half Tom Fournier d’Albe with Gabrieli Nobili and Ethan Trebble-Westlake and Rob Gurnett also making their home debuts from the bench.
Chard kicked off and before Bridgwater could even lay hands upon the ball had driven to the home line for player/coach Simon Jenkins to touch down for the first of his three tries. Ben Chant converted for a 0-7 lead that stunned the home crowd.
Bridgwater hit back immediately and a good move saw full back James Martin cross in the right corner. Chris Ashwin’s conversion was just wide.
After 8 minutes, Bridgwater took a lead they were never to relinquish as skipper, Ollie Dunn stole a Chard line-out almost on half way and burst through for a fine individual try – again in the right corner. Ashwin converted with an excellent kick.
Chant then narrowed the gap with an immense penalty from halfway.
James Martin was prominent for Bridgwater with a superb piece of cover as Chard hacked the ball on and then with a searing 40m break to put the home side on the attack.

Chard were then penalised on their own 22. and on 16 minutes, Tom Fournier d’Albe, showing great insight, took the kick quickly and burst through the Chard defence for a fine individual try that went unconverted.
After 24 minutes, Chard reduced the arrears when Jenkins again drove over the line for an unconverted try. Play flowed from end to end but there was no further score to leave the half time score 17-15.
Bridgwater exerted pressure at the start of the second period. Ercolani brought off a possible try-saving tackle before James Brakes was tackled into touch at the other end of the field.
Bridgwater’s Gavin Knight and Chard’s Chant were both replaced due to injury by Nobili and Ben Robinson respectively.
Eight minutes after the interval, Bridgwater kicked a penalty to the corner but lost the subsequent lineout. Chard were awarded a 5m scrummage that Bridgwater drove back strongly and, as Chard illegally tried to stop the inevitable try, were awarded their second penalty try of the season, converted by Ashwin.
After 14 minutes, both captains were spoken to by referee Wayne Davis following a fracas. This, however, seemed to have little effect as minutes later Jenkins was sin-binned when he appeared to stamp in a ruck and home winger James Brakes joined him on the naughty step when he entered the fray to ‘remonstrate’ with Jenkins.
Bridgwater introduce Gurnett and Trebble-Westlake to replace Garryn Basson and Ali Blundell respectively
Play flowed from end to end and Bridgwater increased their lead when replacement forward, Ethan Trebble-Westlake scored following a five metre scrum that he had set up with a scything break through the visiting defence. Ashwin’s conversion made it 31-15.
With the result seemingly determined, Chard would not lie down and following a driving maul, number eight, Rob Burnell scored an unconverted try.
Deep into injury time, following a series of penalties against the home side and with Trebble-Westlake now in the bin, Chard achieved two bonus points with Jenkins’ third try converted by Ben Stead to make the final score 31-27.
Bridgwater will be satisfied with the five points achieved but were not happy at conceding the two points to Chard in injury time. Scrummages were secure and the couple of real forward drives against the head were impressive. The lineout, when the ball was thrown straight, was solid and Bridgwater stole a number of Chard throws.
There was some very good running with the ball in hand and the kicking out of hand was good, particularly from Martin. Tackling was good but the side will have to develop a way of legally negating the driving maul, which were the basis of all four Chard tries.
Next week, sees a shortish trip up the M5 to Clevedon for a third Somerset derby of the season.
The Somerset Cup draw has given Bridgwater a trip to Keynsham in the first round. The game will be played on Saturday October 3rd – the kick off time has yet to be confirmed.

Scorers
Bridgwater & Albion
Tries: Martin, Dunn, Fournier d’Albe, Trebble-Westlake, Penalty Try
Cons: Ashwin (3)

Chard
Tries: Jenkins (3), Burnell
Cons: Chant, Stead
Pen: Chant

Bridgwater Team
James Martin, Oscar Tregenna, Rob Allen, Garryn Basson, James Brakes, Chris Ashwin, Tom Fournier d’Albe, James Bryant, Gavin Knight, Joe Bussell, Ali Blundell, Dan Kemmish, Luc Ercolani, Ollie Dunn (Capt), Taylor Buller.
Replacements all used : Gabriele Nobili, Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Rob Gurnett

Referee: Wayne Davis (Somerset Society)

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Category: 1st XV News, Previews / Reports -XV

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