South West One West
Midsomer Norton 0, Bridgwater & Albion 29

THE quality rugby played in the pouring rain that fell throughout this game is a credit to both sides but, at the end, it was the visitors who ran out the bonus point winners, writes Richard Walsh.

Bridgwater started strongly and, on five minutes, were rewarded when Roger Drabble, making his 100th first team appearance, made a good break before off-loading to Stuart Heal who scored an unconverted try.

Ten minutes later, Albion scored a second try when a catch-and-drive was picked up by Heal who chipped ahead and ran on to the ball to touch down, which he then converted.

Bridgwater had a good move on 25 minutes involving Heal and Collings but the final pass failed to reach Shaun Mahoney.

The rest of the half was rather bitty as it ended 12-0.

The visitors started strongly and were awarded a series of penalties but Norton defended well and it wasn't until the 55th minute that Heal extended the Bridgwater lead when he scored an opportunist drop goal.

Albion kept up the pressure and gained another try when captain Ollie Dunn burst through to touch down, Heal converting.

The final try came with minutes to go when, following a move involving Micky Norman and Joe Bussell, George Sluman went over for a try that Heal converted to make it 29-0 at the whistle.

Bridgwater & Albion - J.H. Hill, Sam Britton, Garron Bassyn, James Collings, Owen Tregenna, Stuart Heal, Roger Drabble, Micky Norman, Ollie Dunn, Taylor Buller, Dan Kemmish, Ali Blundell, Lewis Phillips, Shaun Mahoney and Joe Bussell. Reps (all used) - Adam Tew, George Sluman and Will Kerry.

Reflecting on his team's rise from 11th to seventh place in the table as a result of his side's victory at the weekend, Bridgwater & Albion head coach Simon Morrell said: “It was a great win and I am very pleased with the way the boys played against Midsomer Norton on Saturday.

“Although we are where we were in September in terms of availability, we are finding ways to win.

“The conditions at Midsomer Norton were terrible – in fact, you were better off without the ball defending and kicking and chasing the ball and putting pressure on the set piece.

“We adjusted really well and played smart rugby,” he added.

“The weather played into their hands because they had a huge pack and they used it well, but we stood up well and they didn’t look like scoring which was really healthy.

“We took the bull by the horns and were by far the better team so, all in all, it was a really astute performance from us.”

Talking about his side’s improved position in the table, the head coach said: “To me, we are at the half-way point now and this was our seventh win this season – I think we are unfortunate just to have seven.

“If you look at where we are now you can only imagine that if we can win eight or nine by the end of the season which gives an indication of what our true capability is

“We are making up time and hope that by mid-April we are a lot closer to the top than the bottom of the table.”

On Saturday, the Bridgy Boys travel away to take on table-toppers Weston-super-Mare where they know they will face formidable opponents.

“We are down to the bare bones at the moment but when we played them last time we came second best in every department in September," Morrell said.

“There are plenty of battles in that game we can target and hopefully win so there are lots of positives we can take from that game.

“We will target certain areas and look at our performance and as long as the boys do us proud I’m not going to be too worried how that one goes.

“Weston are a pretty complete side and we will certainly aim to make life difficult for them.

“We have got nothing to lose and will go there and give it a good crack.”