BARFC 43, Cullompton 12 (08/11/14)

AN Other | 08/11/2014 | Reply

Match report by Tony Pomeroy

This was Bridgwater’s first ever league win over Cullompton and takes them to fourth in the league table with a total of 25 points. Cullompton remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Cullompton belied their league status with a powerful start which saw them take the lead with a try by full-back Tom Elliott, converted by fly half Adam Pearce, the brother of top English referee, Luke Pearce.

Bridgwater then began exerting pressure and were rewarded when skipper, Ollie Dunn was driven over as part of a driving maul. Stu Heal converted with a good kick but missed a long range penalty attempt a few minutes later.

Visiting centre, Joshua Barratt was a constant thorn in the home defence but could not break through.

On half an hour, Nick Spellissy drove powerfully from the back of a scrum. When he was stopped, Roger Drabble switched the point of attack and full back James Martin crashed over for the second try again converted by Heal.

The third try arrived on the stroke of half time. Bridgwater took a scrum against the head and Jervis Manupenu wriggled through the defence for an unconverted try to leave the score on 19-7.

At half time, Bridgwater gave a debut to centre Chris Ashwin, a former Bristol player in place of Garryn Basson.

The bonus point try was not long in coming as following a period of home pressure, prop Joe Bussell was driven over for an unconverted try.

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The home side seemed to take their foot off the gas and Cullompton came back into the game. Pearce hit the post with a penalty but they could not turn pressure into points.

Referee, Brian Perry, who controlled the game well throughout, amused the crowd as he tumbled over a prostrate player and ended up on his back.

Bridgwater woke again in the final quarter. A loose Cullompton kick out of defence was gathered by Matt Hastie, The ball went to Martin and Manupenu before reaching winger Oscar Tregenna who burst through three defenders for the fifth try, converted by Heal.

Straight from the kick off, Spellissy surged forward in a 50m break for the home side and eventually skipper Dunn got his second try with a surge from a 5mlineout. The conversion was wide.

Cullompton did not lie down and when Bridgwater lost the ball in the Cullompton 22, it was hacked downfield and winger James Shere scored an unconverted consolation try.

Bridgwater had the last word. After the ball had been held up over the visitors line, Manupenu put in an exquisite chip to the posts and Heal dived on the ball for try number seven that he also converted.
Cullompton did not look like a side at the bottom of the table and they will surely climb higher.

Next week Bridgwater visit Drybrook, in the Forest of Dean. They are currently five points below Bridgwater in the league.

Scorers
Bridgwater & Albion
Tries: Dunn (2), Martin, Manupenu, Bussell, Tregenna, Heal
Cons: Heal (4)

Cullompton
Tries: Elliott, Shere
Con: Pearce

Bridgwater Team
James Martin, Nick Francis, Garryn Basson (rep Chris Ashwin h/t), Stu Heal, Oscar Tregenna, Jervis Manupenu, Roger Drabble, James Bryant, Matt Hastie, Joe Bussell (rep Scott Woolford 67), Ali Blundell (rep George Sluman 62), Dan Kemmish, Taylor Buller, Ollie Dunn (Capt), Nick Spellissy.

Referee: Brian Perry (Somerset)

Photos to follow on Sunday afternoon!

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