Old Redcliffians 3rds 0, BARFC 2nds 60 (30/11/13)

Albion travelled to Bristol with a strong team to take on bottom of the league Old Reds, looking to take the maximum five points from the game.

This is exactly what happened. Reds started the game with 13 men, although at various points went up to 14 men and finished the game with the full 15. With Bridgy playing down the slope in the first half, Reds made a hash of gathering the kick off, then infringing at the breakdown. From the penalty Smith kicked to the corner and the ensuing lineout drive was grounded by Steward for a try within three minutes. With Jon Hill the elder on first team duty, the goal kicking responsibilities fell to John Hill the Younger, who opened his account with the two pointer.

Sluman was next to cross the line a few minutes later, with a classy looking dive, following a good hand off and some neat footwork. The conversion was missed.

Kerry scored the first of his tries next, racing down the line to score in the corner. Hill Converted. Kerry then produced a piece of tremendous skill, chipping over the Reds defence and regathering the ball to score his second of the afternoon and securing the try bonus point inside twenty minutes. The conversion was wide.

With the game already looking beyond doubt, Bridgwater began to try some moves they had been practicing, and some slick backs play unleashed Kerry, yet again to complete his hat trick before half time.

By this time Reds heads had dropped an with Bridgy running rampant, the ball was passed to Ball who pulled some unusually nifty footwork out of his locker to beat several defenders to score under the posts for the final try of the half. Hill converted with ease to take the half time score to 37 – 0.

The second half largely failed to match the standard of the first and it was a full thirty minutes before the scoreboard was troubled again. During this time Reds did see some ball time but were unable to produce anything really meaningful.

With ten minutes to go, Webb, who had looked dangerous all afternoon on his second team debut, bulldozed his way over for a try. Almost immediately after, Sluman crossed for his second try, following several good offloads. The try was converted by Hill.

Stradling then finished off a similar try in the corner, taking an inside pass from Webb. The final try finished under the post by Brakes, was scored straight from the restart. He took the conversion himself and was successful.

This was an easy win for Bridgwater and but for some complacency in the third quarter could well have seen more tries. There will be a much sterner test next weekend at home against Hornets second string.

Team: Brakes, Kerry, Owens, Smith, Barnett, J. Hill, T. Hill, Saunders, Sturdy, Ball, Stradling (Capt), Burtenshaw, Sluman, Webb, Steward.

Reps: (All used) Trunks, Basson, Lipscomb

Tries: Steward, Sluman (2), Kerry (3), Ball, Webb, Stradling, Brakes

Cons: J. Hill (4), Brakes 

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