Tribute South West One West

Drybrook 6, Bridgwater & Albion 12

BRIDGWATER edged a scrappy contest at Drybrook on Saturday, thanks to tries from Nick Francis and James Martin, writes Tony Pomeroy.

As an exhibition of rugby, this was not a good advertisement and much of the play matched the drab mistiness of the afternoon – the game only really came to life in the final ten minutes.

On one of the few occasions Bridg-water did create a breakthrough, Sturdy could not take the final pass with the line at his mercy.

Even with a man advantage, when home centre Jack Simmons was yellow-carded for a dump tackle on Nick Francis, Bridgwater could not break through.

Drybrook, by keeping their line intact, grew in confidence and began to exert some pressure of their own. Somewhat against the run of play, the home side took the lead with a short-range penalty from full back Tom Treherne awarded when Bridgwater were adjudged offside.

Bridgwater continued to attack, with singular lack of points to show for it.

On the stroke of half-time, Drybrook worked their way deep into Bridgwater territory.

Hastie was penalised – and sin binned – and Treherne should have doubled his side’s lead but fluffed a relatively easy penalty to leave the score a scintillating 3-0 at the interval.

Bridgwater introduced Chris Ashwin at half-time, with Stu Heal taking a break.

Drybrook started the half at breakneck pace, hammering away at the 14-man defence but Bridgwater held firm.

With Hastie back on the field, Bridgwater laid siege to the home line.

Eventually, they were awarded a very kickable penalty but opted instead for a scrum.

They duly won the ball and spun it right, through a few pairs of hands until it reached Nick Francis on the right wing who registered the first try of the day after 55 minutes. Ashwin’s conversion attempt from the touchline was narrowly wide.

Approaching the final ten minutes, Drybrook got their act together and exerted pressure in the visiting 22.

They were awarded a penalty and took it quickly – Garryn Basson tackled the ball carrier well within the ten metre zone and was duly sin-binned.

Treherne regained the lead for his side with his second simple penalty.

Bridgwater snapped into action and had moved the ball right, through several pairs of hands, until it reached Martin who outpaced the defence to score in the corner.

Ashwin converted with a superb kick to take the visitors into a 6-12 lead.

In the final minute, Drybrook hammered away at the Bridgwater line but the visiting defence held firm. When Drybrook lost the ball, Bridgwater were delighted to boot it into touch and record their third consecutive victory.

l On Saturday, Bridgwater entertain Ivybridge, currently second in the league, but having lost their last three matches – kick off at 3pm.