Weston 36, BARFC 17 (24/10/15)

After a morning of heavy rain, the precipitation stopped in time for the start of the game at the Recreation ground.

The opening ten minutes were all Weston – Bridgwater hadn’t seemingly stepped off the bus and the result was Weston domination and two early and converted tries, for the home side.

Bridgwater then appeared to step it up a little and had a good spell of possession and territory, which, despite a number of defensive infringements, the home defence held firm and Bridgwater came away without a point for around 20 minutes of dominance.

However, with less than 10 minutes of the first-half remaining a Weston break and the long arm of their number 12 saw another, yet unconverted, try for the home side and despite a brief onslaught from Bridgwater – during which time the home number eight was yellow carded in the centre of the park, the half-time score remained 19-0.

Early in the second-half Weston fly-half Glenn Dickson was stretchered off following a serious leg injury that might well see him out of the game for a while.

When play restarted the home side kept up the pressure, which quickly resulted in a converted try and a lead of 26 points.

At this stage, Bridgwater seemed to have little in reply – however, the loss of the New Zealander from the Weston game began to open holes for the Bridgwater backs to run through.

A quick break down the left-hand wing saw Oscar Tregenna go over for the first Bridgwater try of the afternoon, a few meters wide of the left hand post – and a similar play saw James Martin flying down the wing to score another unconverted try.

Ollie Dunn powered over for a third Albion try – but Weston had the final say with a try from inside their own half to close out the game.

Bridgwater take on Hornets in the Somerset Cup quarter-final this weekend with kick off at 12 noon on Saturday. Following the game the RWC final between Australia and New Zealand will be shown in the bar.