Bridgwater & Albion RFC 34-29 Minehead Barbarians Match Report
Bridgwater & Albion RFC 34-29 Minehead Barbarians
This match provided everything you could ask for from a local derby but at the end of a hard fought encounter it was the hosts who emerged the winners and continue their 100% winning start to the season.
In front of a crowd swollen by many Minehead fans who had made the trip along the A39 to see witness the first league match between the two sides at this level, the Albion were led out onto the field by Shaun Mahoney who was making his 75th appearance.
Before the match got underway both teams stood to observe a minutes silence as a mark of respect to Colin Bowerman, the Albion’s groundsman for 60 years, who had passed away that morning aged 87.
Albion dominated the first five minutes of the game but they were unable to turn pressure into points and it was Minehead who scored first when left winger Mu-Eed Fritz broke through and went over in the left corner.
The visitors continued to attack and three minutes later Fritz found space and scored his second try putting Minehead 10-0 ahead.
The next quarter of an hour saw the Albion trying to open their account but on each occasion they were unable to get across the line.
Eventually on 27 minutes a strong break by Mahoney started a move that ended with Jono Hayes scoring an unconverted try to the left of the posts.
Bridgwater continued to create pressure and two minutes later following a good run by Jay Owens, Leigh Parker went over for a try that Jon Hill converted to put his side into the lead.
Just after half hour Minehead were reduced to 14 when they had a player yellow carded, shortly after which the hosts extended their lead when Josh Frost gathered the ball on the right and ran 30 metres before crashing over in the corner.
Despite being a player down Minehead continued to look to attack at every chance and in the 38th minute the fleet footed Fritz went over for his third try to level the scores.
Just before half time Jack Williams picked up a loose ball and barged his way over the line to put the hosts into a 22-17 lead at the break.
Bridgwater started back strongly and on 47 minutes Harvey Fisher crashed over for a try that was converted by Frost.
The home side maintained the pressure and on 54 minutes Karolis Urbonas went over for a try which made the score 34-17.
Despite being 17 points in arrears Minehead regrouped and fought back strongly. In the 65th minute the ball was worked across the visitors backs until it found Sam How who sprinted in from half way to score behind the posts making the score 34-24.
The visitors kept coming forward and when Joel Lynch picked up a loose ball, fought off a tackle and ran to the line Minehead were within five points of their hosts.
The last few minutes of the game saw the Albion deep in Minehead territory but despite mounting a wave of attacks they were unable to add to their tally as the game ended 34-29.
The Albion First XV are without a game on Saturday and are next in action when they travel to face Clevedon on 14th November.
BARFC- Josh Frost, Lewis Parker, Jackson Hurley, Charlie Willcox, Jono Hayes, Jay Owens (capt), Jon Hill, Shaun Mahoney, Jack Williams, Karolis Urbonas, Leigh Parker, Aiden Cable, Ollie Phillips, Harvey Fisher and Sam Russell.
Replacements: Tom Male, Jim Taylor and Lewis Plece.
Josh Frost on the charge down the right flank just before crossing the line
Category: 1st XV News
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