Bridgwater and Albion 33 -Launceston 60

South West One (West)

Bridgwater and Albion 33- Launceston 60.

This high octane top of the table clash featuring 14 tries ended with visitors Launceston extending their lead at the head of the division.

Earlier in the day a ceremony was held in the Memorial Garden for club stalwart John Innals who passed away earlier in the year which was followed by a lunch hosted by the Friends of Bridgwater and Albion RFC that was attended by 220 members and guests.

The visitors unusually playing in orange shirts took the lead in the fourth minute when Andy Knight went over for an unconverted try.

The lead was extended when an expansive Bridgwater pass across backs was intercepted which resulted in a try for Martin Kneebone that Glenn Coles converted.

The hosts bounced back quickly and almost from the re-start Stuart Heal scored a try on the left which he then converted.

On 12 minutes deft handling down the left side led to Launceston scoring another try when Will Morton touched down for a try which Cole converted.

Launceston kept coming forward and on 20 minutes Torin Clarke scored the first of his three tries, that was converted by Coles which put Launceston ahead 26-7 after the first quarter.

There was no easing up for the Cornish side who went further ahead when 19 year old prop Chae Jenkins charged over from close range for a try which Coles converted.

Bridgwater refused to lay down and quickly switched the action to the opposite end where on 33 minutes Ollie Dunn scored a try on the left which Heal converted. From the re-start Albion player Rob Gurnett produced a blistering run from his own half and went deep into Launceston territory before he was held up.

On the stroke of half time the visitors scored their sixth try of the match when Clarke touched down close to the left hand corner, which made the score 38-14 to Launceston at the break.

A refreshed Bridgwater came out after the break and despite their 24 point deficit started to take the game to the Cornish side. However once again they came unstuck when going forward a pass was intercepted and Clarke ran in unopposed which Coles converted.

Once again home skipper Dunn was to the fore and following a tapped penalty he scrambled over the line for a try which Heal converted to keep his side in the game.

As ever Launceston kept up the pressure and on the hour were rewarded when Morton went over for an unconverted try.

Bridgwater’s Will Monro looked threatening throughout the match and going into the last 10 minutes he found his way to the line and went over in the corner.

Launceston responded with a penalty which Coles slotted home, but the hosts were not done yet as Monro started off a move down the left which he duly rounded off with a try in the right corner which Heal converted.

Inevitably it was Launceston who had the last say when Morton went over for the final try which Coles added the extras too as the match ended 60-33 to the visitors.

Bridwater and Albion- Michael Greenslade, Adam Greenslade, Craig Coleman, Ethan Trebble Westlake, Dan Kemmish, Taylor Buller, Olly Dunn (captain), Wayne Sprangle, Tom Fourier, Stuart Heal, Richard Bridght, James Collings, Rob Gurnett, Kyran Devitt and Will Monro,

Replacements all used- Craig Blyde, George Sluman and Brian Webb.

Bridgwater- tries- 5- scored by Ollie Dunn (2) Will Monro (2) and Stuart Heal.

Conversions- 4- Heal.

Launceston- tries 9- scored by Will Morton (3) and Torin Clarke (3) Andy Knight, Martin Kneebone and Chae Jenkins,

Conversions – Glenn Coles (6) one pen –Coles.

Category: Previews / Reports -XV