Hornets 2nds 12, BARFC 2nds 17 (03/09/16)

Bridgwater second team opened their account for the new season on the road to rivals Weston Hornets seconds. This was always going to be a close and fiercely contested account with the Somerset 1 Champions of the last two seasons going head to head once more, this time in Somerset Premier. After a highly successful unbeaten season last year, the pressure was on Bridgwater to prove they had what it took to contest in the league above.

The rain lashed down for the entirety of the game which, combined with the rustiness of the first game of the season, resulted in a handful of handling errors. Bridgwater however, managed to win the lion’s share of these encounters and seemed to excel more in this area as the game developed. Having said that the first try of the game went the way of the hosts after an error in midfield. The ball was lost and Hornets attacked well out wide, working their way around the Bridgy defence to score out wide in the corner. A good kick in the conditions converted the try and Hornets took a 7-0 lead.

Bridgwater conceded again soon after, gifting Hornets their second try through some rather shoddy tackling. Too many missed and broken tackles after poor shot selection led to mounting pressure against Bridgwater in their own 22. Further ill-discipline eventually gave Hornets the opportunity they needed to force their way over the line, again out wide. Fortunately for Bridgwater, the kicker couldn’t replicate the quality of his first kick and the conversion faded short, Hornets led, 12-0.

Stand in coach, Rob Allen, galvanised the troops and Bridgwater regrouped. A great line from winger Charlie Johnson, saw him break two tackles and hand another attempted effort off. He carried strongly from within his own half, deep into the Hornets 22. Collings was on hand to secure the ruck and the ball was recycled wide to Shaun Mahoney who, despite slipping just short of the line, managed to dive over and score in the corner. Unfortunately, Jon Hill couldn’t add the extras and Bridgwater only partially narrowed the lead to 12-5.

Bridgwater thought they drew level through their very own train – Adrian Tew. But despite managing to get over the line and ground the ball, the referee judged him to be held up by the mob of players that it took to bring him down.

With Bridgwater’s dominance in the scrum growing, the pressure was growing on Hornets. After a number of powerful attempts, Bridgwater finally pushed the Hornets scrum into their own posts and were rewarded with a penalty try. Jon Hill slotted the extras and Bridgwater drew level, 12-12.

Olly Steward had to depart the field with gout-like toes. George Sluman moved from the flank to No 8 with Karolys Urbonas coming in on the flank. Shortly after, the Hornets No. 8 was sent to the bin for continuously handling in the ruck. Bridgwater were unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage either side of the half time break. The half finished 12-12.

After the break, Adrian Tew departed the field and Jason Moulding provided fresh legs for the front row. Bridgwater defended much more vigorously than at the start of the match and played much more intelligent rugby, pinning Hornets deep within their own half and forcing them to kick into the wind. Hornets briefly returned to having 15 men on the park until the Number 8 was found handling in the ruck again! The referee went to his book once more, first showing the yellow and then swiftly following with a red card.

Bridgwater patiently waited for their opportunity and it arrived after some good defensive pressure. The ball was spilt and Jon Hill capitalised. He fly-hacked the ball through and managed to get boot to ball for a second time to stop it going into touch before having the legs to beat the Hornets full back to pouncing on the ball over the try line. He was unable to convert his own try but Bridgwater now had the lead for the first time in the game.

With less than 15 minutes’ left on the clock, Captain – George Sluman, received a blow to the head and had to leave the field due the resulting injury. Dan Lang finished the game as captain with James Mclauchlan moving to become the third Number 8 of the day for Bridgwater. Adrian Tew returned to the field in the engine room. Bridgwater were able to sustain the pressure on Hornets for the remainder of the game. Hill had an opportunity to provide an 8-point buffer with a penalty towards the sticks but unfortunately missed. However, the incident failed to have any impact on the result and the full time whistle went with Bridgwater still leading, 12-17.

Bar the slow start, all of the Bridgwater players performed outstandingly – a massive thank you also to Dan Page who unfortunately didn’t get on and congratulations to new senior players and debutants Jack Smith, Rory Macgregor and Karolys Urbonas who all played admirably.

The result has extended the second teams winning streak to 30 league games which spans across three seasons; their last loss coming on 21^st March 2015. This however means nothing for their next encounter, away to Bristol Harlequins where the Bridgwater side will look to start much stronger in an effort to prevent their opposition playing themselves into the game.

Team: Barnett, Smith, Lang, Kerry, Johnson, Collings, Hill; Norman, Mahoney, Tew, Lewis, Mclauchlan, Macgregor, Sluman (Capt), Steward

Substitutes: (Used) Moulding, Urbonas (Not Used) Page

Tries: Mahoney, Penalty, Hill

Cons: Hill

Category: 2nd XV News