Tribute South West One West

Wells 16, Bridgwater & Albion 29

ALBION continued their impressive try-scoring form with a 29-16 victory over Wells on Saturday, writes Tony Pomeroy.

They ran in four tries to secure their fourth consecutive try-bonus point courtesy of James Martin, Matt Hastie, Oscar Tregenna and Rob Allen.

Aaron Cook opened the scoring for Wells with a short range penalty after six minutes when Albion offended at a tackle.

Two minutes later, after one of his breaks put Wells on the offensive, Cook repeated the dose when Albion collapsed a rolling maul.

Wells continued having the better of the game, and after 18 minutes Cook again broke through to send half-back partner Ben Knight in under the posts. Cook's conversion made it 13-0.

The lead only lasted seconds as Albion full-back Martin chased the kick-off, and managed to gather the ball cleanly and burst through the home defence for a superb individual try under the posts.

Albion came into the game more and Allen was prominent with the ball in hand.

The score remained at 13-7 for the rest of the half, but Albion exerted pressure straight from the kick-off and after only one minute registered their second try when Hastie crashed over from close range.

The home side increased their lead with an excellent 40m penalty by Cook, awarded when Albion entered a ruck at the side.

For Albion, Nick Spellissy was tireless and put in a number of telling breaks, and from one of these the ball eventually reached Tregenna, who scythed through the home defence to score under the posts and give Heal an easy conversion.

Albion held a narrow 16-19 lead entering the final quarter and it was still anybody’s game.

In the final ten minutes, when Wells were penalised at a ruck, Heal teed up the ball just inside the Wells half and 12m from the right hand touch line.

His kick was long and straight, making the score 16-22.

Two minutes later, Heal was at it again with an exquisite chip deep into the Wells 22.

A Wells defender fumbled the ball and it bounced into touch.

Nick Francis quickly assessed the situation and took a quick throw-in to Allen who burst through the home defence for the bonus point try under the posts.

In the final minute Wells made a valiant attempt to gain a losing bonus point, but their final assault was repulsed by good defence.

When the ball was eventually lost forward it heralded the final whistle in an enthralling game.

n All eyes will be on Beggars Brook this Saturday as North Petherton and Bridgwater meet for the first derby clash of the season.

Both sides have enjoyed strong starts to the season with Pethy in particular sat in second place.

Kick-off is 3pm and supporters are advised to arrive early as a large crowd is expected.