Okehampton 13, BARFC 7 (01/10/16)
Bridgwater travelled to West Devon to face high flying Okehampton hoping to build on their victory of the previous weekend.
Playing the first half up the slope and into the strong wind,early exchanges were even if not even in Albion’s favour as they were playing against the element.
Okehampton made a rare visit to the Bridgwater half after 15mins and the referee awarded a penalty against the visitors for a side entry in a ruck which sas slotted home
Three minutes later they were awarded another penalty, this time for not releasing which was kicked to make it 6-0, a harsh reflection of the play.
Bridgwater were forced to replace number eight Micky Norman who suffered a groin strain by Ali Blundell.
On 23 minutes second row Ethan Trebble-Westlake attempted to intercept a pass, and managed to get his hands to the ball but in the wet slippery conditions did not make a clean catch and was sent to the sin bin for what the referee saw as a deliberate knock on.
On the stroke of half time the ball was cleared to touch by the Bridgwater defence to crash into an advertising board. Okehampton took a quick throw and somehow broke through the runners to score a try from outside of the 22 metre area to take the half time score to 13 – 0.
The second half started well enough for the Albion but the Oke’s upped their tempo and enjoyed some good “pick and go” moves from their forwards. However Bridgy soaked up the attacks and soon their dominant scrum was putting pressure on the homs eight deep in the home 22metre area.
After five penalty infringements in the scoring zone the referee’s patience finally ran out for the home side and a penalty try was awarded on the 56th minute which was duly converted by Stuart Heal to take the score to 13-7.
The momentum was with Bridgwater who rang the changes in an attempt to get some fresh legs on the park with Tom Founier replacing Kryan Devitt and Matt Ranson replacing Ali Blundell.
Twice the Bridgwater pack shoved the Okes over their own goal line with considerable control only for the referee to adjudge the ball being held up and not grounded.
However the rest of the game was played out with mostly frantic but resolute defence from the home side with Bridgwater pushing for the next score, which sadly for them, never came.
This was a difficult match for Bridgwater. The home side were a well organised side with some big forwards and some quick backs, and after this game they they now sit in second place in the league.
Bridgwater will take heart from the fact they kept their structure and play, when previously they may have slipped back into old habits. Taking a losing bonus point from a strong team on their own soil is not always a bad result.
Bridgy have now played all of the top three teams in league position this term and two of them away from home. Next week’s challenge will be a test to see how far the team have come as it is a home tie against Teignmouth who ran out comfortable winners when the two sides met back in April a result the Bridgy boys will be keen to ensure a good result.
Team:
Brad Field, Oscar Tregenna, Rob Allen, James Collings, Kyran Devitt, Stu Heal, Roger Drabble, Lewis Phillips, Shaun Mahoney, Joe Bussell, Dan Kemmish, Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Taylor Buller, Oliver Dunn (Capt), Micky Norman. Reps (all used) Tom Fournier, Matthew Ranson, Ali Blundell
Category: 1st XV News
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