Keynsham 21, BARFC 26 (03/10/15)

AN Other | 03/10/2015

With both clubs boasting unbeaten starts to the league season, something had to give in this encounter at Crown Fields.
Bridgwater were missing James Martin and Joe Bussell who were unavailable and also rested Dan Kemmish, Taylor Buller and Tom Fournier-D’Albe from the starting line-up.
It was the lower ranked side, Keynsham, who had the best of the opening exchanges. However, it was Bridgwater who took the lead with a quarter of an hour gone. From a scrum in midfield, Bridgwater moved the ball right. Full back, Oscar Tregenna, broke through and drew the defence before passing to wing, Rob Allen, who evaded the remaining defenders for the opening try well converted by Chris Ashwin from wide on the right.
From the kick off, Bridgwater were caught in possession. Keynsham kicked to touch and when they spun the ball from the lineout, visiting centre, Garryn Basson was penalised and sin-binned for a high tackle. Joe Davies reduced the deficit for the home side with the easy penalty.
From the kick off, Bridgwater exerted pressure and kicked a penalty to touch. From the lineout, the ball was recycled twice before reaching Ali Blundell, lurking near the left touch line and he scored a short-handed, and unconverted, try in the corner.
A second short-handed try soon followed as visiting skipper, Ollie Dunn received the ball on halfway and burst through a hesitant defence for a fine individual try converted by Ashwin and a 3-19 lead.
Bridgwater almost scored again, losing the ball just short of the home line but then lost fly half Ashwin suffering from possible concussion.
Just before half time, Dunn burst through again before being stopped by a suspiciously high tackle which ended with Tregenna getting sent to the naughty step for careless use of the elbow.

Keynsham started the second period in total control and Davies kicked a simple penalty to reduce the deficit and then a try from Ben Newman, that went unconverted brought the score to 11-19. Bridgwater were finding it very difficult to get out of their own 22 and with them unable to prevent the penalty count rising, the pressure was on. Davies kicked another simple penalty for 14-19 before, in a rare excursion into the home 22, Taylor Buller missed one for the visitors.
Approaching the half hour, Keynsham deservedly went into the lead when Phil Harvey crashed over near the posts following concerted home pressure. Davies’ conversion took the home side into a 21-19 lead.
Bridgwater made progress after the kick off and when Keynsham wildly fly-hacked the ball out of defence, Bridgwater gathered on the halfway line and moved the ball right. It reached Allen, who’s way to the line appeared to be blocked – but he does like a challenge. He broke two or three attempted tackles and suddenly was clear. He scored under the posts giving Buller an easy conversion and Bridgwater a 21-26 lead. Keynsham spurned another easy three point penalty as they strove valiantly for the win but Bridgwater spent the final minutes in possession and with the aid of a couple of penalties, held out to record a very narrow victory.
Keynsham played very well and should be proud of their efforts against a side from a higher league. Bridgwater will have learned a lot about the quality of the youngsters at the club – seven of the squad range in age from 18 to 20. There were debuts for Scott Franklin, Tom Hillman and Ryan Bartlett coupled with rare appearances for Adrian Tew, Mitch Windsor and Jay Owens.
Next week, Bridgwater visit the Forest of Dean to take on Drybrook before hosting the current top-of-the-table, Newent, in a game brought forward from Carnival Night to October 17th.

Scorers :
Keynsham:
Tries:- Newman, Harvey
Con:- Davies
Pens:- Davies (3)
Bridgwater & Albion
Tries :- Allen (2), Dunn, Blundell
Cons:- Ashwin (2), Buller

Bridgwater Team :
Oscar Tregenna, Rob Allen, Rob Gurnett, Garryn Basson, James Brakes, Chris Ashwin, Scott Franklin, James Bryant, Gabriele Nobili, Adrian Tew, Ali Blundell, Rob Thompson, Luca Ercolani, Ollie Dunn, Ethen Trebble-Westlake.
Replacements – all used – Tom Hillman, Dan Kemmish, Taylor Buller, Mitch Windsor, Tom Fournier-D’Albe, Jay Owens, Ryan Barnett

Referee : Wayne Davis (Somerset)

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