Old Sulians 7, BARFC 2nds 34 (19/12/15)

After the disappointment of Bristol Harlequins conceding the fixture last weekend, Bridgwater seconds were raring to go in their top of the table clash away at Old Sulians. Bridgwater were four points clear at the top of the table and Old Sulians remained their final hurdle in an unbeaten first half of the season.

Bridgwater were without backs John Hill and Callum Gillard and forwards Lewis Phillips and Ali Blundell who were all with the first team. Matt Ranson was also unavailable after picking up a hamstring injury in the demolition of Keynsham two weeks prior. The teams were treated to some top quality refereeing from former international referee Tony Spreadbury!

The contest was physical and very evenly matched for the majority of the game. Bridgwater exerted some early pressure and set up camp in the Sulians 22. Sulians defence though, was stubborn. They relentlessly knocked back the waves of Bridgwater attacks but eventually let their discipline slip and Bridgwater had not one but two opportunities to get on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, Tom Denovan’s first kick at the posts was pushed wide by the wind and his second was sliced. Sulians managed to repel the attack and Bridgwater’s pressure and patience went unrewarded.

Sulians could only momentarily clear their lines before Bridgwater were back, intent on getting the first points of the game. A number of scrums near the posts gave further opportunity for Bridgwater to break the deadlock. Despite a number of battering runs from centre Garryn Basson, who was twice held up over the line, the first score eluded Bridgwater.

Some handbags were thrown after a lineout and this created a bit of space on the blind side. Basson seized his chance and swept back around the ruck to attack the open space. The ball was eventually bundled to Joe Stradling 10m out who had just enough drive in his legs and just enough length in his arms to stretch for the line, dotting the ball down on the line. The wide conversion was missed so Bridgwater finally had the lead they were looking for, albeit a slight 0-5.

Old Sulians responded in perfect fashion and after a number of penalties against Bridgwater for not rolling away, Sulians found themselves knocking on the Bridgwater door. Some uncharacteristic poor tackling and a lack of commitment in defence led to a soft try being conceded by Bridgwater. The score near the posts was successful meaning Sulians took a narrow lead 7-5. The first half played out with no further score despite some good rugby being played.

After the half time interval, Old Sulians picked off a wayward pass from well within their own half and it was only some desperate, scrambled defence that kept them out. Now it was Old Sulians turn to bombard the Bridgwater line and Bridgwater’s turn to batter down the hatches and grit their teeth. A number of scrums and attempted clearances eventually gave Bridgwater a bit of breathing room. 10 minutes in to the second half, Bridgwater looked to their bench to make an impact in the tight game, which was still sat at 7-5 and what an impact they got.

Fresh legs in the back division came in the form of Kyran Devitt, who replaced Ryan Barnett. Devitt showcased his electric pace and with his first run at the Sulians line he scored. Jay Owens made the initial break after a good backs move saw Basson commit both opposition centres. Owens then distributed to Devitt, who still had a lot to do from within his own half. He pinned his ears back and scooted around his opposite man and rocketed off down the touchline. He evaded two more attempted tackles with only his pace and scored in the corner. He was unable to convert his own try so Bridgwater led 7-10.

A Bridgwater lineout on the half way line was won and the ball was kicked deep into the Sulians corner. The winger managed to regain a bit of territory and took the ball to the 22 metre line where he was swiftly outnumbered by the Bridgwater backs. A good turnover saw the ball spilled loose at the back of the ruck. Devitt swooped in from his wing to secure the ball and delicately chipped over the blitz defence. He managed to regather his own kick and race in under the posts and score his second try of the game. This time he converted, extending Bridgwater’s lead to 7-15.

With the Sulians pack demoralised and tiring, Bridgwater executed a brilliant driving maul. From a line-out they drove the Sulians pack back a good 30 metres before unleashing the backs. Kyran Devitt then scored his hat trick off the bench by performing a second chip and chase. This time, he had competition for the regather but managed to hold off the Sulians defence and leap for the line. His kick was successful again, extending the lead to 7-24.

Annoyed at Devitt’s selfish play, the forwards mauled again. Although they gained some considerable territory, they were unable to score and released the backs once more. This time, fly-half James Collings ran a hard line between the 10 and 12, shrugging off the attempted tackles before falling over the line. The conversion was missed, 7-29.

Denovan ended the game with Bridgwater’s sixth try after racing over in the corner. The wide conversion was missed again so the final whistle went with Bridgwater on top 7-34.

Despite running away with it in the last quarter of an hour, this was a hard fought game for Bridgwater. So far this season the second team have won every game, making it to the Christmas break on 12/12 (one short of the halfway mark due to the rearranged fixture against Wyvern). This has left them 8 points clear at the top with the game in hand over their closest rivals.

Team: Denovan, Barnett, Owens, Basson, Lang, Collings, Caddick; Tew, Knight, Woolford, Stradling, Page-Symonds, J Sluman, G Sluman (Capt), Spellissy

Substitutes: (Used) Devitt (Unused) Shaw, Lewis

Tries: Stradling, Devitt (3), Collings, Denovan

Cons: Devitt (2)

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