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BARFC 22, Drybrook 8 (23/01/16)

| 23/01/2016

MATCH REPORT: BARFC 22, Drybrook 8 (23/01/16)

TRIBUTE SOUTH WEST 1 WEST

Bridgwater remain in third place in the league with this four point win, but lose a point to Thornbury and Newent who both gained five points.

Bridgwater’s 100% home league record remains intact but Drybrook’s run of five consecutive victories came to an end as Bridgwater won their fourth consecutive game against the forest side.
Bridgwater made a number of changes from the side who won at Coney Hill last week. Chris Ashwin moved to full back to replace the departed James Martin with Rob Gurnett and Oscar Tregenna returning to the threequarters. Tom Fournier D’Albe wore the scrum half shirt with James Bryant back at loose-head prop. Taylor Buller moved into the second row in place of Dan Kemmish with Nick Spellissy coming in at No. 8. Flying winger, Kyran Devitt, made his home 1st XV debut.

The first half was eminently forgettable as Drybrook, playing with the wind, could not turn the elements to their favour. Handling errors also abounded as play flowed from end to end. Tom Treherne hit a post with an early 40m penalty attempt for the visitors and that was the closest either side came to scoring until, as Bridgwater began to assert their authority on the game, Chris Ashwin kicked a 23m penalty to give the hosts the lead after 34 minutes. On the stroke of half time, Treherne equalised with a 41m penalty to leave the interval score at 3-3.

The home side, now with the elements in their favour, dominated much of the second half. Skipper, Ollie Dunn, was high-tackled in the Drybrook 22 after 4 minutes. Bridgwater opted for touch and from the line-out, drove hard at the visitors line. They kept recycling and driving and eventually, No8, Nick Spellissy, was driven over for the first try. Ashwin’s attempted conversion from wide out on the left, shaved the wrong side of the near post.

From the kick-off, Bridgwater tried to kick clear but put the ball directly into touch. Buller limped off to be replaced by Kemmish for the home side. From the lineout some 23m out, Drybrook contrived a solid driving maul that ended with hooker, Ashley Howells levelling the scores with an unconverted try.

Minutes later, Bridgwater ran the ball from a midfield scrum and with the referee playing advantage for Bridgwater, Drybrook intercepted and would probably have scored – but only to be called back for a home penalty. A similar scenario happened ten minutes later when another possible interception try for Drybrook was ruled out for a Bridgwater advantage. Meanwhile, Bridgwater replaced Bryant with Lewis Phillips and Spellissy with Ethan Trebble-Westlake but this latter change lasted only 13 minutes before the reversing when Trebble-Westlake suffered an ankle injury.

After 26 minutes, Mitch Bourne incurred the wrath of the referee and saw yellow but Ashwin missed the resulting penalty from 35m. However, Bridgwater profited from the extra man when patient recycling created a gap for centre Rob Gurnett who powered over at the posts giving Ashwin an easy conversion.

From the kick off, Rob Allen ran strongly for Bridgwater. Good handling saw the ball reach Kyran Devitt on the wing just inside his own half. He kicked ahead and, in a replica of his try last week, won the race to the touchdown giving him his first home try and a total of three tries in his first two matches – a great scoring rate! Drybrook replacement, Danny Price, was yellow carded before Ashwin’s conversion, leaving them, briefly, with only thirteen men.

With the final whistle approaching, Bridgwater attacked again but could not get the elusive fourth try and the game ended when home winger, Oscar Tregenna, was tackled into touch right on the corner flag.

With Drybrook on a winning streak, this game was always going to be tough for Bridgwater, but they came through the test with flying colours. The way that Bridgwater absorbed all the pressure that Drybrook exerted was pivotal in the game as the failure of the visitors to score with the wind gave Bridgwater the mental strength to be able to turn the game around in the second period.

The determined running of the home backs was good to see with both wingers exhibiting some serious pace. Yes, there were some un-necessary passes thrown which sometimes put the side in trouble but it was a lively performance coupled with a solid defence.

The home pack were solid in the scrums, winning a couple against the head and the lineouts were about even, with both sides ‘stealing’ ball.
Next week, the visitors are Weston super Mare and Bridgwater will be out to avenge the defeat suffered in October. Next week’s game will again kick off at 2-15 pm and a large, vociferous, crowd is expected.

Scorers:
Bridgwater & Albion
Tries : Spellissy, Gurnett, Devitt
Cons : Ashwin (2)
Pen: Ashwin

Drybrook
Try : Howells
Con: Treherne

Bridgwater Team:
Chris Ashwin, Kyran Devitt, Rob Allen, Rob Gurnett, Oscar Tregenna, Jervis Manupenu, Tom Fournier D’Albe, James Bryant (rep Lewis Phillips 58), Tom Hillman, Joe Bussell, Taylor Buller (rep Dan Kemmish 47), Rob Thompson, Luca Ercolani, Ollie Dunn (Capt), Nick Spellissy (rep Ethan Trebble-Westlake 58-71)

Referee : Brian Perry (Somerset Society)

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

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