Crewkerne 10, BARFC 2nds 26 (20/02/16)

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Bridgwater seconds travelled to Crewkerne in a top of the table clash and were rewarded with 5 league points as the spoils of war. With similar league positions and a history of close encounters, Bridgwater were expecting a tough day in the office. They were not disappointed.

Bridgwater had a slightly reshuffled side compared to the one that took on Wyvern the previous week. In the backs, Bridgy were missing Jay Owens and Will Kerry who were called up to the first team and injured respectively. James Collings stepped up from the bench to fill in at centre for the day with Roger Drabble sliding from scrum half to fly half. Fit again Doug Caddick had recovered from concussion to slot in at scrum half. In the pack, Bridgwater were also without Adrian Tew who accompanied Owens in the first XV. Brett Shaw came up from the bench whilst Bridgwater also welcomed back Joe Sluman from holiday and Nick Spellissy from the first team, both of whom slotted into the back row.

Playing down the slope, Crewkerne were first on the score sheet. Patience, territory and sustained pressure saw them rewarded with a try after breaking through a tackle. Despite the ball being dotted over out wide, the conversion was impressively scored, 7-0.

Bridgwater responded with a try of their own. Courtesy of full-back Tom Denovan. A good backs move put Kieran Windsor, whom had an impressive game on the wing, into some space. He carried forward well, drawing in the final defender and putting Denovan clean through. Denovan scored out wide and was unfortunately unable to add the conversion, 7-5.

Crewkerne used the slope to their advantage and kicked deep. Bridgwater’s ill-discipline cost them when they penalised in front of the posts. Crewkerne’s kicker was on point again, slotting the penalty and extending his sides lead to 10-5.

Shortly after the restart, Bridgwater won a penalty of their own and kicked into the corner of the Crewkerne 22. Bridgwater were dominant in the lineout all game, securing all of their own ball and stealing a good portion of Crewkerne’s. After winning their own lineout, the backs were released with Drabble cutting back against the defence and crashing in under the posts. Fortunately, Denovan’s conversion was successful, giving Bridgwater the lead for the first time, 10-12.

This was a lead they would not relinquish; not through lack of effort from the home side but more down to the solid, stubborn defence of Bridgwater. Bridgwater were under pressure, particularly struggling in the scrum against a vastly experienced Crewkerne front row. Crewkerne could smell blood and set up camp on the Bridgwater five metre line. Some gutsy defending and a great turnover from Tom Hillman was all that stopped the waves of Crewkerne aggressors. A clearance kick by Collings gave Bridgwater respite and the first half was played out without further ado.

Bridgwater brought on their own experienced front rower in the form of Dave Norman. He replaced Shaw at prop. Uncharacteristically, for the game and season, they botched their own line out. Fortunately, front row forward, Scott Woolford, had the presence of mind to pick the ball out of the air and pick his gap between the lineout and try line. He trundled forward, forcing his way over to draw the two teams level. Denovan’s kick was successful, 10-19.

Bridgwater squandered several opportunities for their fourth try through poor handling and seemed to lack that clinical edge they have shown so far in this campaign. Joe Stradling and Dave Hughes were replaced by Tom Lewis and John Hill – who was making his first appearance since picking up an ankle injury in the new year.

Bridgwater were denied the bonus point on numerous occasions before some slick hands from Caddick and a good running line from Spellissy saw the former feed the latter into a gaping hole in midfield. Spellissy cantered in unopposed to dot down near the posts and finally give Bridgwater their elusive bonus point. One of the final acts of the game was for John Hill to mark his return with a simple conversion to bring the score to 10-26.

Next week the seconds will host Chard at College Way while the two clubs’ first teams compete at Chard. Bridgwater will be looking for their 18th successive win this campaign and to up their current unbeaten streak to 21 games.

Team: Denovan, Hughes, Lang, Collings, Windsor, Drabble, Caddick; Woolford, Hillman, Shaw, Page-Symonds, Stradling, J Sluman, G Sluman (Capt), Spellissy
Substitutes: (All used) Norman, Lewis, Hill
Tries: Denovan, Drabble, Woolford, Spellissy
Cons: Denovan (2), Hill

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