CREWKERNE 21 – 59 BARFC 2nds

Bridgwater & Albion 2nds made the trip to Crewkerne with all thoughts on continuing their hot run of form and attempts to climb the league table further. After 80 minutes of rugby lots of tries were scored; Webby made us laugh, Jack Smith played some volleyball and Jay got tired running up hill. A few changes to the line-up meant that Albion’s big money summer signing; Wayne “sick note” Sprangle joined the seconds after 6 weeks out of action for a runny nose. Also, after 3 years of racking up a student debt Tim “BSc” Hill re-joined the ranks after his hiatus.

Bridgwater made a strong start, using both the slope and the wind to their advantage. Making the most of their strong carriers Bridgwater made good inroads, before G Basson, playing at flanker, scored from close range. Tim Hill then showed us that his tuition fees had gone to good use, with some quick thinking leading to him running in unopposed after a quick tap penalty. Owens neatly added the extras to both tries. Bridgwater then took their foot of the gas, and after some sloppy play in midfield Crewkerne scored a breakaway try to bring them back in to the game. Despite this Bridgwater rallied and after some quick ball off a lineout and further carries from the forwards, Sprangle was on hand to dot down under the posts. The next phase of play saw some exhibition rugby; G Basson crashing through midfield giving a one handed offload to Owens, who from his own half sold a couple dummies and managed to use the slope to carry him all the way to the try line. Again Owens calmly slotted both conversions with ease.

The second half saw the elements turn in the favour of Crewkerne. Bridgwater began making several errors in midfield allowing Crewkerne to kick to the corners and keep Bridgwater deep in their own territory. However, one kick too many saw the ball go dead and Bridgwater have a 22 drop out to clear their lines. This is when the brains trust got together to attempt some trickery to perhaps catch Crewkerne unawares and take a quick 22. However, clearly there had been too many long words being used as Ryan “Mark” Barnett decided that he should rewrite the rules and simply go for a run with the ball and attempt a tap penalty somewhere near the halfway line; a confused referee then spent some time explaining the rules of rugby to poor Barny before play resumed with a scrum to Crewkerne. Crewkerne duly punished Bridgwater and scored from the scrum with a good break in midfield.

From this point forwards Bridgwater began to look more organised and started putting some phases together. G added to his try tally, before Barny made amends with a lovely solo try in midfield; again Owens slotted the extras with aplomb. During one of these conversions Webby, who was no longer captain, obviously felt that he wasn’t getting enough attention decided to challenge the entire Crewkerne team to a tussle under their own posts. After Crewkerne, the referee and most of the Albion players laughed him away play was allowed to resume.

With some tiring legs on both sides the play became more expansive, and Jay Owens who was now running the show with a lovely range of passing sent a miss pass to Jack Smith who with 1 metre to the try line had glory in sight. However, Jack decided that the best course of action would be to punch the ball over the dead ball line. Fortunately play was brought back for a penalty and despite the score line Owens decided that his own personal tally of points was now the priority and Bridgwater took the 3 points. At this point after getting to 20 points Owens decided the thought of running up hill for another 10 minutes was too much to bear and went off for a breather. Barny also wanted to be with his buddy and joined him after some handbags led to a yellow card.

The last 10 minutes saw two further tries for Bridgwater; a 1m special from Dave Norman and a searing break from Dan Page. Both converted by Hill; showing Owens that anyone could kick the points on such a small pitch. Smith then decided that the score line was a bit too one sided and that Crewkerne deserved a try for their efforts, by throwing the kick off over the try line for them to put down for a consolation try just before full time.

This was an entertaining game of rugby played in good spirits. 5 league points continues to push the seconds up the league. However, they can expect a sterner challenge next week as they welcomed 2nd placed Stothert and Pitt to Bridgwater.

Team; J Hill, T Hill, Lang (c), Barnett, Smith, Owens, Page, Webb, Sprangle, Basson, West, Buck, Coleman, Phillips, Saunders. Replacements (all used); Norman, Stradling, Staples.

Tries; Basson (2), T Hill, Sprangle, Owens, Barnett, Norman, Page.

Cons; Owens (6), J Hill (2). Penalties; Owens.

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Category: 2nd Previews / Reports -XV