Bridgwater & Albion RFC 36- St Austell RFC 50 – Match Report

Bridgwater & Albion RFC 36 – St Austell RFC 50

Bridgwater and Albion RFC produced their best performance of the season when they hosted table toppers St Austell.  At the end of which, they took a bonus point and hold their heads high.

The hosts forwards controlled the scrum and each of their five tries.  Graham Slorance scored three and theycame from driving mauls.  St Austell had very nimble wingers and moved the ball across their backs well.

Match Sponsored by The Dirtrackers.

This match was sponsored by The Dirtrackers.  – the nickname used by the Bridgwater and Albion RFC Third XV and before the match over 60 former players and guests gathered to relive many memories and enjoy a buffet lunch.

The visitors kicked off but it was Bridgwater who were onto the attack from the start, earning two penalties.  Both of which saw them gain ground on the right flank.  Unfortunately although they threatened the attack was cleared by the strong St Austell defence.

Bridgwater continued in the ascendancy and a driving maul  took them deep into St Austell territory, but once again they were left empty handed.

First attack from visitors

On 12 minutes the visitors mounted their first real attack which was ended when Dan Tyrrell scored a try. Matt Shepherd converted.

Five minutes later the lead was extended.  Chris Ashwin, who previously played for the hosts scored an unconverted try making the score 12-0.

After 20 minutes Bridgwater got themselves onto the scoreboard when they were awarded a penalty just inside the St Austell half.  Tom Steer slotted home.

Matt Ranson back for Bridgwater & Albion RFC

The home side continued to enjoy superiority in the scrum.  After 27 minutes this eventually reaped benefits when Matt Ranson, making his first start of the season, crashed over for a try.  Steer converted making the score 10-12.

The top of the table side however quickly extended their lead when the former Plymouth Albion player Matt Shepherd ran from his own half to score a try.  Soon after Tyrell scored another, both of which were converted.

With the clock getting nearing half time Bridgwater mounted another attack and once again a kick to touch.  The line out resulted in a rolling maul and Slorance going over for a try.  Steer converted making the score 17-24 at the interval.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half were evenly contested.  Will Kerry was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on.  St Austell took full advantage of their extra player  and during the next 10 minutes scored three further tries making the score 43-17.

Albion kept on fighting

With 15 minutes remaining Bridgwater were far from done and mounted a ferocious fightback, that was helped by the carding of Shepherd .

The hosts created pressure and after kicking two penalties to touch,  from the ensuing line out and driving maul Slorance went over for another try to which Steer added the extras.

The Cornishmen replied quickly and brought up their half century when Plummer scored a try which Ashwin converted.

Full credit to the Bridgwater side as they played some powerful attacking rugby

Bridgwater came back again and in the final stages of the match played  some powerful attacking rugby which saw them score a further two tries, a third for Slorance before replacement Gavin Knight crashed over following another line out and driving maul which Steer converted, much to the delight of the home players and supporters.

The last time these two sides met it was St Austell who ran out comfortable winners.  This time however it was a very different story.  This result will give Bridgwater confidence going into their next game.  This is away at Crediton on Saturday.

Bridgwater & Albion RFC Matt Ranson, Jordan Buller, Graham Slorance, Taylor Buller (vice capt), Tom Hopkins, Josh Parker, George Sluman (capt), Jack Perry, James Collings, Tom Steer, Tom Croal, Jay Owens, Lewis Plece, Dan Lang and Will Kerry.

Replacements all used – Mike Saunders, Gavin Knight and Ollie Phillips.

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Category: 1st XV News