Tor RFC 37 – Bridgwater and Albion 2xv 6
Bridgwaters second string travelled away to play Tor at Castle Cary RFC due to the home sides pitch surface being deemed unfit for play after suffering during this years heatwave.
After last seasons troubles Bridgwater hoped for a positive start in Somerset 1, however it was Tor who ran out convincing winners on the day in a a game that was played in good spirit throughout.
Playing up the slope in the first half Bridgwater conceeded an early try after a slow start but managed to settle down and started to play some patterns. Battling hard Bridgwater made some good ground but could not capitalise on majority pocession or field position.
Bridgwater got on the score board via an excellently converted penalty from 40+ metres by stand in fly half Jon Hill. with the score at 5-3, Tor used the slope and their pacey outside backs well, adding two
further tries to the tally making the score 15-3. Bridgwater’s weighty scrum functioned well up the tough slope and the team were awarded a penalty infront the posts, which Hill converted, 15-6. Bridgwater would have taken that scoreline going into the second period, however in the dying minutes of the half Tor managed to crash over once more opening up the deficit. During the first half Bridgwater had unfortunately lost 2 players to head injuries, resulting in a forced
re-shuffle with experienced backrow George Sluman having to put a shift in at centre and with our other backrow forward on the casualty list the functioning lineout had been greatly affected.
Tor put any hopes of a Bridgwater comeback to bed early with two quick scores after the break. It was quickly apparent that the first half had taken its toll on a tiring Bridgwater side, who had spent very little time together before this fixture.
Ultimately in the end this was the differenec between the two sides; with Tor managing to hold their shape well and show the traits of a 1xv side who have had a good pre-season training together.
Nevertheless Bridgwater showed great squad spirit battling hard to the final whistle and although Tor were deserved winners, Bridgwater will feel the scoreline did not highlight the whole nature of the game.
September is always a challenging time for any 2xv until squads have had time to settle and new player combinations need time to bed in, however Bridgwater will be able take many positives from this opening game and it will not be long before the squad begin to make a mark on Somerset 1.
The team wish to thank the supporters who travelled to Cary, your continued support means alot and we hope to see you next week when
Bridgwater and Albion 2s host Bath Old Edwardians at College way.
Team: Woolford, Greenslade, Phillips, Saunders, Bussell, Coombes,
Sluman (vc), Buller
Drabble, Hill, Galloway, House, Lang (c), Smith, Page.
Reps: ( all used) Phillips, Buck, Longman
Category: 2nd Previews / Reports -XV
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