Chard 2nd XV 5, BARFC 2ndXV 42 (12/09/15)

Bridgwater seconds were on the road for a second week in a row after derby day in week 1 of the season. This time around they travelled to Chard to play their counterparts. With Rob Gurnett called upon to play for the first team, Tom Denovan started on the wing with Dan Lang shifting to the centre. Gary Saunders replaced Adrian Tew at prop, with the latter suffering from a neck injury he picked up against North Petherton. Joe Stradling returned to the seconds in the second row with Matt Ranson stepping in at number 8 after Olly Steward decided he had earned a holiday for all of his good work this season. Mitch Windsor also started in the back row with Nick Spellissy suffering from a back injury. Bridgwater welcomed the experience of Roger Drabble on the bench where he was joined by Tom Lewis and Kyran Devitt.

In what was the complete opposite of the previous week, Bridgwater struggled all game in the scrum. It was clear to see that the forwards were up against it being much more lightweight than the Chard pack but it was their mobility which was key in winning the game. It was a tough opening 20 minutes for Bridgwater with Chard looking dangerous when attacking. Bridgwater survived a number of attacks in their own 22 and their solid defence was rewarded with their line intact. Ryan Barnett and John Hill were both close to scoring after Hill dinked the ball over a rushing Chard defence but play was stopped due to a possible head injury. Barnett eventually made it two tries in two games when he forced his way through his opposite man to score in the corner. The widest of conversions was just missed meaning Bridgwater had a well earned 0-5 lead.

Hill was also involved in Bridgwater’s second try. After fielding a kick in his own 22, he countered smartly down the right wing, stepping around a number of would-be tacklers before drawing the full back and feeding Denovan into the open field. Denovan sprinted in from near the half way line to score under the posts. Hill converted to extend Bridgwater’s lead to a much more comfortable 0-12. Before the end of the first half, Jay Owens departed the field with a reoccurring ankle injury to be replaced by Drabble. He entered the fray at full back allowing Hill to push up to the centre.

Doug Page-Symonds opened the scoring in the second half after some good phase building from the pack. They repetitively attacked the Chard try line before a gap finally opened up and Page-Symonds scythed through. Hill converted again to make the score 0-19.

Windsor joined in with the fun and games and cut a brilliant line off of Hill, who did well to hold the Chard defensive line honest. The inside line from Windsor was followed by some cheeky snake hips which helped him slither between a number of Chard players and canter in under the posts. Hill’s successful conversion took the score to 0-26. Bridgwater’s second four try bonus point in as many games was secured.

With the bonus point secured Bridgwater’s main focus was to keep another clean sheet and to shut out Chard. Some say the best form of defence is a good offence and, after winning a penalty, Bridgwater had an attacking lineout on the edge of the Chard 22. Despite struggling in the scrums, Bridgwater were superior in the line out and the sheer speed of the lineout move was too much for Chard. Bridgwater got the drive on fast and early. Joe Stradling got his hands on the ball and was escorted over the line by the rest of the pack. Hill nailed the conversion again to take Bridgwater to a commanding 0-33. Matt Ranson was replaced by Tom Lewis who took over for Stradling in the engine room allowing him to slide to the back row.

The shine of Bridgwater’s performance was then somewhat tarnished by the powerful and dominant Chard scrum. After being held up over the line, the resulting Chard scrum slowly trundled towards the Bridgwater line. With the Bridgy pack behind their own try line the scrum was stopped but the Chard number 8 had very little to do to get over the line. His pick and go was successful and Chard were finally off the mark with two minutes to spare. The conversion attempt was pushed wide, 5-33.

It was Bridgwater who had the final say though and when a loose pass was dropped in midfield George Sluman was to the ball quicker than the Chard player responsible of the drop. The fly-hack sat up kindly and Sluman gathered the ball to race in and dive under the posts. Hill continued his success with the boot and added the extras to take the score to 5-40 with the last kick of the game.

Two away wins from two, both with 4-try bonus points, leaves Bridgwater second in the league on points difference (once the bonus point error is corrected). Bridgwater seconds will play the part of host for the first time this season next week when Clevedon seconds come to College Way.

Team: Hill, Barnett, Lang, Owens, Denovan, Collings, Franklin; Woolford, Hillman, Saunders, Page-Symonds, Stradling, Windsor, Sluman (Capt), Ranson

Reps: (All Used) Lewis, Drabble, Devitt

Tries: Barnett, Denovan, Page-Symonds, Windsor, Stradling, Sluman

Cons: Hill (5)

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