Bridgwater and Albion RFC 23 – Newent RFC – 27 – Match Report

Bridgwater and Albion RFC 23 – Newent RFC – 27 – Match Report

Bridgwater and Albion RFC gave their best performance of 2022 against the high flying Forest of Dean side.  At the end of a keenly contested and even match they were only beaten by a converted try and penalty in the the dying minutes.

The Albion were led out by stalwart clubman Matt Ranson.  Matt made his 250th first team appearance for the team since making his debut back in 1995.

Playing with the strong wind in their favour Stuart Heal gave the hosts the lead after three minutes when he slotted home a penalty from half way inside the Newent half.

Bridgwater and Albion RFC held strong

The visitors came straight back into the attack with a good move down the left wing, but despite sustained pressure the Albion defence was strong as it was all afternoon and they held firm .

Newent persisted and on 10 minutes they were rewarded when Dan Fletcher crossed for a try that Doug Long converted.

On 16 minutes Newent were penalised for a high tackle which Heal kicked to bring Albion to within one point of the visitors.

Pressure created

Following a period of scrappy play in which both sides created openings Albion created pressure that eventually paid dividends.  Taylor Buller crashed over to the left of the posts for a try.  Heal converted to put the home side into the lead.

Shortly afterwards Heal kicked to touch on the right hand side and from the line out the ball was worked across the backs until it found its way to Jon Hill.  Jon then went over for a try in the left corner that Heal again converted.

On the stroke of half time Newent slotted home a penalty which made the score 20-10 at the break.

Wind Direction now siding with the opposition

In the second half it was Newent who had the wind in their favour.  Almost from the kick off Will Hartland went over for a try in the left hand corner.  Tom Webb added the extras to.

The next 20 minutes of play was very even.  Both sides making incursions into their opponents half without adding to their score.

On 25 minutes Albion were awarded a penalty for offside.  Heal kicked to make the score 23-17.

Bridgwater and Albion RFC defense holding firm

With the wind behind them Newent continued to create pressure but the Albion defence held firm until eventually in the 39th minute of the second half James Dean  went over for a try which Long converted to put the visitors back into the lead.

During the second half play had been held up by an injury to a Newent player.  Several minutes of play were added time right at the end.  Long kicked a penalty before the final whistle went with the score 23-27.

Hard fought, well played game from Bridgwater and Albion RFC

Despite the strong winds this was a good game of rugby which Bridgwater and Albion can feel hard done by to lose.

On Friday night Albion travel to North Petherton kick off 7.30pm.  They face their near neighbours who will be trying to regain the bragging rights lost at College Way back in the autumn.

Bridgwater and Albion- Matt Ranson, Gavin Knight, Sam Adock, Ollie Davies, Tom Hopkins, Karolas Urbonis, George Sluman (capt), Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Jon Hill, Stuart Heal, Tom Croal, Taylor Buller, Jay Owens, Roger Drabble and Oskar White.

Replacements- James Palmer (used), Dan Kemmish and Nick Parry (neither used)

Check out our available wedding dates available for this year and next.  Ask for our brochure for the full details!

Bridgwater and Albion RFC are proud to offer amazing wedding packages in our gorgeous Sedgemoor Room.

Don’t forget keep in touch with new info on our Facebook page

Tags: featured, full

Category: 1st XV News