Crewkerne 24, BARFC 2nds 22 (07/01/17)

The 2nd XV visited a damp Crewkerne hoping to secure this season’s double but they found the home side in revitalised form and were made to work hard throughout and at the end could not just close the gap to produce the goods.

Crewkerne applied the early pressure, forcing Albion into conceding three penalties near the posts but surprisingly they shunned the kicks at goal, hoping to score a try but Albion repelled them.  Soon after Albion were awarded three penalties in succession and this enabled them to camp near the Crewkerne line but they could not get over.  In the 18^th minute Crewkerne hit back and Devitt’s attempted clearance was charged down and the home No. 8 scored a try which was converted.  Two minutes later Crewkerne were penalised from the kick-off and Devitt made amends by kicking the penalty.  From the kick-off tremendous forward surges by firstly Knight followed in quick succession by Tew and then Lewis and Woolford saw Albion hammering at the Crewkerne line.  Woolford went close again just after.  Barnett’s strong run out of defence also promised well for Albion but Crewkerne just covered.  Just before half time Crewkerne’s excellent No. 8 burst through but provided a poor pass to his wing who dropped the ball with the chance going begging.  Half-time arrived with the home side 7-3 ahead.

Early in the second half Devitt’s excellent long penalty to touch gave Albion a great position.  Stradling then produced a sharp burst and Jordan Buller surged clear to score for Devitt to convert.  Three minutes later, Albion repeated the drive from their forwards and Buller again was sent clear for Devitt to add the extras and Albion were now 17-7 ahead.  In this ding-dong battle Crewkerne hit back when their stand-off dropped a neat goal to reduce the arrears.  Now it was Crewkerne’s turn to come back and they denied Albion possession and in the 56^th minute, their full-back ran clear for a try which was converted.  Eight minutes later the Crewkerne pack attempted the pushover and when that was repelled, their centre burst through at the posts for another goal.  Albion were now desperately fighting back to try and save the game and it looks as though they had when Brakes strong break from the left-hand side opened up the middle and skipper Lang just stumbled over.  Unfortunately for Albion Devitt’s conversion just missed but they had shown some spirit in coming back but will have been disappointed not to have snatched the victory.  Crewkerne for their part finally got off the mark and certainly looked a useful outfit and they are hoping that this form can be continued.

Team:  Barnett;  Brakes  W Kerry  Lang (captain)  J Smith;  Devitt  Page;  Stradling  J Buller  Urbonis  Lewis  Page-Symonds  Woolford  Knight  Tew.  Replacements – both used – Euan Trebble-Westlake  Johns.

Scorers:  Tries – Buller (2)  Lang.  Conversions – Devitt (2).  Penalties – Devitt.

Category: 2nd Previews / Reports -XV, 2nd XV News