BARFC 2nds 43, Chard 2nds 14 (23/11/13)

After a weekend off both teams were looking to get their respective seasons going with a much needed win. Bridgwater looked to play some expansive rugby straight from the kick off and only a knock on from the returning Basson stopped a try from being scored. Albion were looking dangerous, with the backline linking up well, and it wasn’t long before a try was scored through John Hill the older, who converted his own score.

The next fifteen minutes with Chard not really seeing the ball, but stout defence combined with a shocking drop from Jay Owens on his return from first team duty, kept Bridgy out. Chard were able to clear their lines several time from good turnover ball, but they could only hold out for so long before Willis snaked his way over the line for a well worked try. The conversion was missed, taking the score to 12 – 0 at half time.

The second half started with a try fest with four tries in the first fifteen minutes. First, some solid defence from Bridgwater, following the kick off forced Chard into a weak kick, gathered by Drabble around the ten metre line, who duly cut through the Chard line and outpaced the remaining defenders to score.  The conversion was successful.

Bridgwater then switched off briefly, failing to deal with the restart and several errors and then a penalty allowed the Chard number 9 to take a quick tap and dive for the line, scoring under the posts. The conversion was good taking the score to 19 – 7.

This shook some life back into Albion, and determined to make amends for conceding a soft try, found themselves deep in Chard territory. A lineout was earned ten metres out. The ball was caught by Lipscomb, allowing the maul to be set up and driven straight for the line. Stradling grounded the ball for the bonus point try, following able assistance from Trunks. The conversion was missed

Chard then put together their best play of the game, including several good offloads and some powerful runs, for their second score, again under the posts. Again the conversion was good, taking the score to 24 – 14.

Once more Albion pulled their socks up and following some excellent pod work the ball was shipped wide to Owens, who this time managed to catch the ball and then race in for a try. The conversion was missed.

Albion scored two further tries, with John Hill the elder scoring his second after a huge hole opened up in the Chard backline, again he converted. Dan Steward scored the final try of the game after it looked like he had been tackled, he had not been held and was able to regain his feet and score in the corner for an excellent finish. Jon Hill the younger slotted a superb conversion from the touchline to end the game at 43 – 14 to Bridgwater.

To their credit Chard gave it everything they had, and looked to play rugby at every opportunity they had. However these chances were few and far between because of the game control of Bridgwater.

Team:  Willis, Steward, Basson, Smith, Owens, J.Hill, Drabble, Saunders, Sturdy, Ball, Burrows, Burtenshaw, Sluman, Lipscomb, Stradling (Capt)

Reps: (All used) J.Hill, T.Hill, Trunks

Try: J.Hill (2), Willis, Drabble, Stradling, Owens, Steward

Cons: J.Hill (3) J.Hill

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