Mid League Summary

By Tony Pomeroy

Bridgwater & Albion are now at the mid-point of their league season. Thirteen matches have been played – seven at home and six away – and so the second half of the season will have seven away matches and only six at College Way.

The season started well. The league computer decreed that we start with two home matches and we duly recorded a bonus point win against league newcomers, Bideford, by 37-5 followed by a 14-0 defeat of Camborne.

The visit to Cullompton brought us down to earth as we suffered a 32-3 defeat and was the first of two consecutive away matches that Bridgwater players suffered serious injury.  Each time the game had to be moved to a smaller pitch to allow the medics to treat our injured players.

Our next visitors were the then unbeaten top of the table Cleve.  After 25 minutes, Bridgwater were leading 24-3 but the wheels came off and we slipped to a 32-27 defeat.

Our second away game was at Clevedon where Rob Thompson suffered a broken and dislocated ankle that will keep him out until sometime next season. We rushed into a 14-0 lead after only 5 minutes but had to settle for a 34-34 draw.

Our home game with bottom of the table, Coney Hill, helped our points difference as we recorded a 41-0 victory to put us in good heart for the short trip to North Petherton. A huge crowd saw Bridgwater lead for much of the match and it was only deep in injury time that North Petherton took the lead and record a very narrow 25-23 win.

Another two narrow defeats followed. At College Way, league newcomers, St Austell, sneaked home by 22-17 and the following week at Chard was even closer with the home side edging the game 11-9.

In the game at Chard, Bridgwater gave a debut to Brian Webb from Burnham. Unfortunately, an administrative oversight meant his registration forms had not been processed and we were correctly deducted five hard-earned points by the league officials.

A home victory against lowly Sidmouth by 41-17 set the scene for another Somerset derby at Hornets. Unfortunately, we came away pointless as we lost 25-15 with two of the Hornets tries being scored by former Bridgwater prop, Alec Chase.

Our final home game of 2013 – on November 30th – saw Thornbury visit College Way. Bridgwater were victorious in a high-scoring game by 45-33.

The final game in the first half of the season saw Bridgy visit Wadebridge Camels and record their first away win of the season by 20-8.

Home Form
Played 7       Won 5    Lost 2                          For 224   Agst 109  Match Pts 26

Away Form
Played  6     Won 1     Lost 4  Drew  1         For  104   Agst  135  Match Pts  8

Totals
Played 13     Won  6  Lost  6  Drew  1        For  328   Agst  244  Match Pts 34

Points Deducted 5

Total League Points  29

Our current league position does not do justice to the club. The four games in which we had a losing bonus point were lost by a total of only 14 points – one more try in each of the games would have seen us now in the top three of the table, as other clubs would also have less points.

The club will approach the second half of the season with renewed confidence and look to climb the table before the end of the season.

Category: Previews / Reports -XV