BARFC 20, Blackwood 31 (16/08/14)

With Bridgwater & Albion putting out a relatively inexperienced pack for this pre-season friendly, Blackwood exerted a great of pressure at the set pieces and in the loose. Having said that, the Bridgwater players stuck manfully to their task, scoring four tries.

In the first minute, Blackwood lost possession in midfield. Bridgwater hacked on the loose ball and were delighted when Rob Allen gathered some 40m out and cruised over for the opening try under the posts. Unfortunately, Stu Heal’s conversion hit the post.

Minutes later, from a scrum on their own 10m line, Bridgwater moved the ball left where it reached winger, James Brakes. His chip ahead caused absolute mayhem in the visiting defence. The bobbling ball eventually reached debutant scrum half, Ollie McGowan, who scored a second unconverted try.

Blackwood hit back and following a scrum against the head, flanker Ben Papp scored the try converted by Scott Turner.

On the stroke of quarter time – the game was four x 20 minute periods – both sides thought they would score but first Rob Allen, as he broke clear, was recalled for a forward pass and then a visiting forward was held up over the home line.

Blackwood dominated the second quarter but all they had to show was a try from No 8 Mike Preece converted by Turner. At the end of the period, a rare Bridgwater attack saw Rhys Satchell score an unconverted try to regain the lead at 15-14.

The only score of the third quarter saw the visitors gain a 15-19 lead with an unconverted try for David Brake.

Blackwood again dominated the final session. A clean break saw an excellent unconverted try for Matt Morgan closely followed by a fifth try, this time for Rhys Lloyd converted by Turner.

Rob Allen made a scintillating 70m break from his own line but the home side could not finish off the chance. 

Blackwood then saw two players in the sin-bin as referee, Paul Box, lost patience with their questionable play. The final act of the game saw the ball reach home winger, Dan Lang, who crossed in the corner. Heal’s conversion hit both the near post and the bar but still failed to go over leaving the final score 20-31.

Next week, Bridgwater visit Exmouth for another friendly.

Scorers:
Bridgwater & Albion
Tries: Allen, McGowan, Satchell, Lang

Blackwood
Tries: Papp, Preece, Brake, Morgan, Lloyd
Cons: Turner (3)

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Category: Previews / Reports -XV