Somerset Cup Semi Final played at Gordano RFC – Chew Valley 41-20 Bridgwater & Albion RFC
Bridgwater and Albion RFC travelled to Gordano RFC on Thursday evening. They faced Chew Valley in the semi-final of the Somerset Cup. Although beaten, they gave a very good account of themselves against a team playing at Level 5.
The South West Regional One side went straight onto the attack from the kick-off. They were looking to take the advantage as soon as possible. On each occasion, they were repelled by the strong Albion defence.
On the 11th minute, Albion took the lead. Following good work by Jake Knight and George Sluman they were awarded a penalty. Kyran Devitt slotted home.
Chew came back strongly
Chew came back strongly and spread the ball wide to their wingers who were dangerous throughout. It was Number 8 Monk who thrust his way through the middle and eventually crashed over for a try. The try had followed a scrum near the line. Tom Bryan converted.
Soon afterwards Bryan doubled the score when he went over for a try. He then also converted making the score 3-14.
The next period of play was even but in the 35th minute a long pass from James Collings set up Jake Knight who made a scything break deep into Chew territory. Albion won a line out. Then Jordan Buller went over for a try. Devitt added the extras to.
Bridgwater & Albion RFC regained the lead
Just before the interval Bridgwater and Albion regained the lead when Collings stepped inside to score making it 15-14 at half time.
Chew came out strongly after the break pushing hard to regain the lead, but once again the Albion defence held firm and withheld the pressure.
Jay Owens put the ball into the Chew 22 but it was from an Albion charge down that Bryan collected the ball and kicked ahead. The opposition were eventually awarded a penalty five metres out from which Brooker scored a try that Bryan converted.
Albion continued to press forward to get themselves back into the lead but on the hour the Chew scrum half Chapman collected the ball from a long way out ran in to score a try between the posts which the trusty boot of Bryan converted. Shortly after Bryan kicked a penalty to extend the lead.
2nd Try for Brooker
With 10 minutes of the game remaining winger Stride made a break down the right before it found Brooker who went over for his second try of the game.
Again the Albion battled back bravely with young Harvey Fisher a Colt who was making his senior debut prominent but the attack failed to produce any points.
In the 74th minute Stride once again made a good break before passing to Chapman who scored Chew’s final try.
Despite trailing Albion continued to come forward and with four minutes of the match remaining were rewarded when Lewis Plece went in for a try making the final score 41-20 to Chew Valley.
Chew Valley now meet Bath University in the final of the Somerset Cup.
Bridgwater & Albion RFC to be proud of performance
Despite playing against a team several divisions above them Bridgwater and Albion can be proud of the way that they performed and for much of the game were more than a match for Chew Valley.
The last six weeks of the season have seen the Albion playing their best rugby and supporters, many of who made the trip to Gordano will be hoping that if the squad stays together they could well be challenging for honours in 2024-25.
Bridgwater & Albion RFC
Kyran Devitt, Josh Frost, Lewis Plece, James Collings, Dan Laing, Jay Owens, Jake Knight, Taylor Buller, George Sluman, Alex Knight, Josh Parker, Tom Hopkins, Harry Pentelow, Jordan Buller and Alex Hannah.
Replacements all used- Gavin Knight, Harvey Fisher, Tom West, Cam Hellier, Will Kerry, Harrison Greenslade and Matt Ranson.
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Category: 1st XV News
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