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Clevedon 3, BARFC 18 (19/09/15)

| 19/09/2015

Match Report by Tony Pomeroy

Bridgwater remain in second place in the league with this hard-fought victory.
They remain level on points with Weston super Mare who have a better points difference.

Bridgwater were under the cosh for much of this game as hosts, Clevedon, had enough ball and territorial advantage to have easily won the game.  That they did not speaks volumes for the defensive work of the whole Bridgwater team as they tackled as if their lives depended on it. Restricting Clevedon to a single penalty was a tremendous effort and shows how far they have come as a team.

With Garryn Basson  attending the World Cup and Oscar Tregenna on holiday, Rob Gurnett made his first start for the 1st XV at inside centre with Jonathan Hill drafted in on the wing.  Adrian Tew joined the bench in place of the injured Gabriele Nobili whilst Ethan Trebble-Westlake started at flanker with Luca Ercolani on the bench with a returning Rob Thompson.

Bridgwater kicked off on a day more suited to cricket than rugby. Clevedon won the kick-off and drove towards the Bridgwater line. A 40m clearing kick from James Martin reached the home 22. Bridgwater won the lineout against the throw and when Clevedon were offside in midfield, Chris Ashwin landed the straightforward penalty kick.

Clevedon again made their way into the Bridgwater 22 and a wild pass in defence should have given the home side a try but the defence held out.  Mike Taylor was just wide with a 28m penalty from near the right touch line.

Moments later, Oscar James broke through to close to the Bridgwater line. Bridgwater fly half, Ashwin infringed in the red zone and became the first

player to sit on the naughty step. Taylor kicked a simple penalty to level the scores. Jonathan Hill moved in from the wing for a spell at fly-half.

Despite being a man down, Bridgwater won a lineout against the throw to put pressure on the home line. From a penalty to the corner, Bridgwater set up a driving maul and James Bryant crashed over for a short-handed try. Hill could not convert.

Ali Blundell left the field with his right eye damaged having made accidental contact with a Clevedon knee at a tackle – Rob Thompson joining the fray. On the stroke of half time, Taylor tried a penalty from just inside his own half but was narrowly short to leave the half time score 3-8.

Blundell returned at the start of the second period and Bridgwater managed to lose their first scrum of the half. Play flowed from end to end as both sides strived for that vital score. When Clevedon tackled a man off the ball, Ashwin teed up a 45 m penalty but pushed it just to the right of the posts.

James Martin then put in a 40m break for the visitors that came to nothing before Ercolani and Thompson joined the fray replacing Trebble-Westlake and Blundell.

Bridgwater began to exert pressure and were awarded a number of penalties. They scorned a fairly easy three points and ran a quick penalty to the left. At the tackle, Clevedon were penalised and also had centre Aaron Rice sent to the bin. The resulting penalty was kicked to the corner and when Bridgwater set up the inevitable driving maul, replacement flanker Ercolani, scored the try converted, with a good kick, by Ashwin.

Despite being a man short, Clevedon attacked again and when Gavin Knight transgressed, he was also sent to the bin. Clevedon scorned three points more than once in their quest for a try as Bridgwater conceded many penalties and soon Ercolani joined Knight for an enforced rest.  Even playing thirteen against fifteen, Bridgwater’s defence was heroic and they kept Clevedon at ba,y helped by some inept handling by the hosts.

Even outnumbered, Bridgwater managed to extend their lead to 3-18 when Ashwin kicked a 45m penalty.  Trebble-Westlake replaced Knight when his sin bin expired. In the final minutes, Clevedon did get over the Bridgwater line but solid defence made sure they could not ground the ball and with Adrian Tew replacing Bryant for the final minutes, Bridgwater held out for a solid if unspectacular victory.

Bridgwater will be concerned at the number of penalties conceded. Clevedon were awarded 17 penalties and 2 free kicks whist Bridgwater obtained 16 penalties and 3 free kicks from North Midlands referee, Rob Cross. Bridgwater were occasionally under pressure in the scrums but were dominant in the lineout, winning Clevedon’s throw on 3 or 4 occasions. Ball retention was good but the defence was outstanding and totally responsible for the victory.

Next week, Bridgwater host league newcomers, Coney Hill, who are currently finding life at this level very tough and have yet to register any league points.  Kick off will be at 3-00 pm. The following week, the visit to Keynsham for the Somerset Cup match. This will kick off at 2-00 pm.

Scorers :
Clevedon: 
Pen:  Taylor

Bridgwater & Albion:
Tries: Bryant,  Ercolani
Con: Ashwin
Pens: Ashwin (2)

Yellow Cards :  Ashwin (16 mins),  Knight ( 63 mins), Ercolani ( 6 mins)

 

Bridgwater Team: James Martin, James Brakes, Rob Allen, Rob Gurnett, Jonathan Hill, Chris Ashwin, Tom Fournier-D’Albe, James Bryant, Gavin Knight, Joe Bussell, Ali Blundell, Dan Kemmish,  Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Ollie Dunn (Capt), Taylor Buller.

Replacements all used :  Adrian Tew,  Rob Thompson, Luca Ercolani

Referee :  Rob Cross (North Midland Referees Society)

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

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