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BARFC 2nds 40, Wyvern 3

| 13/02/2016

Bridgwater seconds were looking to build on their impressive streak and regain top spot in Somerset 1 after being knocked down to second by Crewkerne (albeit by one point and with three games in hand). They hosted league new boys Wyvern who are not unfamiliar at playing Bridgwater sides after being promoted from Bridgwater’s III team’s league last year. Bridgwater gave a 2nd XV debut to Dan Vowles in the second row, welcomed back Matt Ranson and James Collings from injury and had 3rd XV manager Dave Norman join in the fun on the bench.

Bridgwater exerted some early dominance in the set piece and set up camp in the Wyvern 22. After some sustained pressure, they won a penalty which was converted by Will Kerry, 3-0. The good start petered out. The game became error-strewn and it looked as though both sides hadn’t played for a while. Bridgwater were given a slight reprieve after Roger Drabble was hit late but after the resulting line out, possession was kicked away. This was an error that was repeated throughout the game, causing frustration to players and spectators alike.

After a good scrum, scrum-half Drabble dinked the ball over the rushing defence. Kerry chased hard and looked to be getting the better of the defending scrum-half before being cruelly cut down by a sniper somewhere in the grounds. He instantly signalled to the side line and was replaced by James Collings. Before he was even off the park, Wyvern took the 22 drop out. Collings rushed into to the number 10 role while Jay Owens pushed out to fill Kerry’s position. Despite the cheeky start by Wyvern, they lost the ball with Tom Lewis executing a good turnover. Collings instantly linked with the men outside him and some good handling by George Sluman and Dan Lang saw Dave Hughes crash through a defender and dive over in the corner. The touchline conversion by Tom Denovan was just short, 8-0.

The kick-off was knocked on by Wyvern but they turned over the scrum and won a penalty in the process. After kicking to the corner and winning their first lineout of the day, Wyvern won a penalty after Jay Owens was questionably punished for not releasing the tackled player. The conversion was successful, 8-3.

Some good defensive pressure from Joe Stradling earned Bridgwater a scrum in the midfield. Wyvern were then penalised for misdemeanours in the scrum but the penalty kick to touch was short, relieving the pressure off Wyvern once more. The dis-functioning Wyvern lineout was turned over again and Bridgwater attacked once more. A bulldozing run by Tom Hillman (we’ve all seen the video clip – nearly 5000 views at the time of writing) left the Wyvern defence staggering and Collings eventually found a hole in the defence to score. Although he was rather fortunate after kicking possession away prior to the try. Denovan missed the conversion, 13-3 and the half time whistle was blown.

After completely bombing the kick off, Bridgwater capitalised on some poor Wyvern handling and Jay Owens fly-hacked the ball down the field. A good chase from Owens and Sluman put Wyvern back in their own 22. But with the reinforcements slow to arrive, they quickly made their way back to the half way line.

Some more great defensive pressure from Stradling and Kieran Windsor won a line out which Owens took quickly releasing Sluman who stepped his way through the Wyvern defence before offloading to Hillman to punch it up the field once more. Bridgwater were then guilty of doing too much and forced one offload too many, knocking the ball on and turning it over – another frustrating part of their game this weekend.

A turnover at scrum time put Bridgwater on the attack and strong running from Tew, Hillman and Stradling saw the former bundle his way over the line. Denovan’s conversion was pushed wide, 18-3.

Adrian Tew was denied a brace as he was held up over the line before sustained pressure saw Matt Ranson crash over the line to mark his return with a try. Denovan’s conversion was successful, much to the appreciation of the vociferous Bridgwater entourage watching on, 25-3.

A swift line out and slick handling from the backs division saw Denovan cross over in the corner with Windsor there as an extra man in support. Denovan failed to convert his own try 30-3.

Tew looked as though he would finally get his brace before he unselfishly drew in the last defender and offloaded to Tom Lewis. Lewis had the legs to make the last 15 metres unopposed and dived in for the score. The conversion was missed… again, by Thomas Denovan, 35-3.

Bridgwater replaced props Tew and Woolford with Brett Shaw and Dave Norman. Norman was instantly influential, carrying well and offloading to Denovan who, in turn, offloaded to Windsor who managed to drag the tackling defender over the line. Jay Owens had a pop at the touchline conversion but also failed, 40-3.

Substitutes Shaw and Norman led the charge in the final few minutes but winger Dave Hughes was held up over the line in the corner. The final whistle blew sealing the victory for Bridgwater.

Although it is good to be able to play below your best and come away with a 5-point victory, Bridgwater will have to sharpen up before a top of the table clash with Crewkerne away from home. They will need to sure up their decision making whilst on the ball and be far more clinical in the loose. Handling was poor and they will suffer next week if they don’t improve on this performance.

Team: Denovan, Hughes, Lang, Kerry, Windsor, Owens, Drabble; Tew, Hillman, Woolford, Vowles, Lewis, Ranson, Sluman (Capt), Stradling

Substitutes: (All used) Shaw, Norman, Collings

Tries: Hughes, Collings, Tew, Ranson, Denovan, Lewis, Windsor

Cons: Denovan

Pens: Kerry

 

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

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