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Wells 5, BARFC 13 (14/11/15)

| 15/11/2015

BY TONY POMEROY

This was a good old-fashioned slog in the mud and one where it became impossible to distinguish between the teams in the final quarter.
Wells dominated possession and territory but with one early exception, could not break down a resolute Bridgwater defence as the visitors, in an almost perfect defensive display, put in tackle after tackle to deny the home side.
Bridgwater started brightly playing up the considerable slope. They won the kick off and kicked their way into Wells territory. When Wells stole a Bridgwater attacking lineout after 5 minutes they moved into the Bridgwater half for the first time and had a lineout on the Bridgwater 22. They started an unstoppable driving maul and home prop Lewis Smith was credited with the score. Fly half Aaron Cook missed the straightforward conversion.
Bridgwater hit back almost immediately and winger Rob Allen was tackled into touch just metres short of the home line following some lively running by the backs. Bridgwater stole the Wells lineout throw and Ethan Trebble-Westlake drove towards the posts. He was halted and Bridgwater recycled the ball left and three slick passes later, winger Oscar Tregenna scored an excellent try, given the conditions, in the corner. Chris Ashwin’s conversion was wide.
Twelve minutes had gone and the score was level at 5-5. Bridgwater had limited possession but were trying to play the more expansive rugby.

The Wells pack put the Bridgwater scrum under pressure which contributed to the dearth of ball the visitors had to play with. Rob Allen had a couple of good breaks out of defence for the visitors but he was generally well marshalled by the home defence. The remainder of the half was scoreless, leaving the score a tantalising 5-5 at the break.
The second half started with Wells again on the offensive and Cook missed a very kickable penalty from the 22. After 12 minutes of fairly constant Wells pressure and after a couple of penalties in favour of the home side, Bridgwater skipper, Ollie Dunn, was sent to the naughty step for an infringement in the ‘red zone’ and Bridgwater tried to compensate by ringing the changes.
Wells continued to pressure until Bridgwater were rewarded with a relieving penalty kick. Bridgwater cleared the ball downfield and when a Wells defender was penalised for holding on in a tackle, Ashwin gave the visitors the lead with a routine penalty from 24m. Minutes later, and with Bridgwater still shorthanded, Ashwin put in a sublime kick from the centre of the field towards the left touchline. James Martin, haring down the left wing, got to the ball just before the defence and used his football skills to hack the ball ahead and then gather his own kick before diving over in the corner for a superb try. Ashwin’s conversion from the touchline hit the far post but Bridgwater were then a crucial two scores ahead at 5-13.
For the last twenty minutes, the home side tried very hard to reduce the deficit but could not crack the visiting defensive wall. They should have narrowed the gap when Bridgwater were again penalised but Cook was well wide with a penalty from 24m almost in front of the posts.
Wells will be disappointed to take nothing from this game but credit must be given to the Bridgwater defence where particularly skipper, Ollie Dunn and Dan Kemmish were outstanding at close quarters. James Martin at full back was like a rock under the high ball often returning kicks with interest. All eighteen Bridgwater players should be proud of their efforts which will give them confidence with two very tight games in prospect for the last two weeks of the month.
Currently in second place, Bridgwater’s season could be defined when they host Thornbury, now third in the league, at College Way next Saturday with a 2-30 pm kick off, and then a week later visit current leaders, Camborne.

Scorers
Wells
Try: Smith

Bridgwater & Albion
Tries : Tregenna, Martin
Con: Ashwin

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

Referee : Paul Box (Somerset Society)

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

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