Tribute South West One West

Bridgwater & Albion 22 Drybrook 8

BRIDGWATER sit in third place in South West One West after this four point win, but lose a point to Thornbury and Newent who both gained five points from their fixtures, writes Tony Pomeroy.

Bridgwater's 100% home league record remains intact, but Drybrook's run of five consecutive victories came to an end as Bridgwater won their fourth consecutive game against the Forest of Dean side.

The first half was eminently forgettable as Drybrook, playing with the wind, could not turn the elements to their favour.

Handling errors also abounded as play flowed from end to end.

Tom Treherne hit a post with an early 40m penalty attempt for the visitors and that was the closest either side came to scoring until, as Bridgwater began to assert their authority on the game, Chris Ashwin kicked a 23m penalty to give the hosts the lead after 34 minutes.

On the stroke of half time, Treherne equalised with a 41m penalty to leave the interval score at 3-3.

The home side, now with the elements in their favour, dominated much of the second half.

Skipper, Ollie Dunn, was high-tackled in the Drybrook 22 after four minutes and from the penalty, Bridgwater opted for touch.

From the lineout, the hosts drove hard at the visitors’ line and Nick Spellissy, was driven over for the first try.

Ashwin's attempted conversion was wide.

From the kick-off, Bridgwater tried to kick clear but put the ball directly into touch – and from the lineout some 23m out, Drybrook contrived a solid driving maul that ended with hooker, Ashley Howells levelling the scores with an unconverted try.

Minutes later, Bridgwater ran the ball from a midfield scrum and with the referee playing advantage in their favour, Drybrook intercepted and would probably have scored - only to be called back for a home penalty.

After 26 minutes, Mitch Bourne incurred the wrath of the referee and saw yellow, but Ashwin missed the resulting penalty from 35m.

However, Bridgwater profited from the extra man when patient recycling created a gap for centre Rob Gurnett, who powered over at the posts giving Ashwin an easy conversion.

From the kick off, good handling saw the ball reach Kyran Devitt on the wing just inside his own half.

He kicked ahead and, in a replica of his try last week, won the race to the touchdown giving him his first home try and a total of three tries in his first two matches.

Drybrook replacement, Danny Price, was yellow carded before Ashwin's conversion, leaving them, briefly, with only thirteen men.

With the final whistle approaching, Bridgwater attacked again but could not get the elusive fourth try and the game ended when home winger, Oscar Tregenna, was tackled into touch right on the corner flag.

Next week, Weston-super-Mare are the visitors to College Way (2.15pm KO) and Bridgwater will be out to avenge the defeat suffered in October.