GoCrea8 Men’s Hockey League
Central 1
Bridgwater 4, Chippenham 3

BRIDGWATER men’s 1st XI entertained Chippenham, who had scored eight in the reverse fixture, so the hosts felt they had something to prove.

The home side started strongly, and this paid off when Jordan Rawles slotted home.

Bridgwater led 1-0 at the break, and the second half started off superbly for the hosts, as they extended their lead through Todd Barrett.

This woke Chippenham up and they had a spell of play that led to them pulling a goal back.

Earlier in the season, this could have been the moment that Bridgwater crumbled, but the hosts counter-attacked through Tom Lott, who picked the ball up from just inside the opposition half, drove towards goal and slipped the ball under the keeper.

The home team were playing the best game of their season, but a five-minute interruption upset their rhythm, and the visitors hit two quick goals to level the game.

Bridgwater refused to buckle, and with some great last-ditch tackles from Duncan Morrish and good saves from the returning Pete Saunders, they kept the away side at bay.

Then, a late break saw Will Pope find himself free at the back post to sweep the ball home and win the match for Bridgwater.

This was a massive performance from the hosts, and a big thank you goes to all the supporters.

Man of the match: Duncan Morrish, Will Pope and Tom Lott

This Saturday, Bridgwater travel to Westbury and UB A (4pm start).

West Central 1
Keynsham 5, Bridgwater A 2

THE 2nds took the short trip to Bristol to face third-placed Keynsham, and due to a pre-match mix-up they went with only 11 players.

The game started tentatively, with both teams struggling to keep possession in the wet conditions.

But then a breakaway down the left led to Rich Payne squeezing a reverse pass across the D to Mulberry Threlfall-Eyres, who controlled the ball and carefully placed the ball into the net.

This woke up Keynsham, who put their visitors on the back foot, and a hopeful ball into the D led to the equaliser, before a bad defensive call led to keeper Durkin letting the ball go into the back of the net because he felt the pass was from outside the D.

Bridgwater levelled when a good run into the D from Will Kelly saw a spin sent across the goal, which was tapped in by Alfie Threlfall, and it was 2-2 at half time.

Keynsam’s high pressing made it difficult for the away side thereafter, and that pressure began to exhaust the Bridgwater players, resulting in three quick goals as the hosts secured the points.

This weekend brings another tough game against Old Bristolians B (2.15pm).

West Central 1
North Somerset A 5, Bridgwater B 4

AARON Turner failed to turn up for Bridgwater 2nds’ match, but was the 3rd XI’s gain.

The first 15 minutes was one-way traffic, as promotion-chasing North Somerset scored three goals.

But Turner brought himself off the bench up front and moved Paul Bond back into midfield, and suddenly things clicked.

Turner’s customary one-handed dribble caused the hosts no end of trouble, and chances fell to Bond who scored, then Coad and Turner himself – both shots being saved.

But the home side then scored again, to lead 4-1 at half time.

The second half was a transformation, as Turner was unstoppable and the midfield and defence broke through the North Somerset defensive line time after time.

Rich Biddle’s mazy run found Phil Morrish in space, and his first-time shot beat the keeper, before Turner laid on a simple finish for Morrish and it was 4-3.

But against the run of play the hosts gained a fortunate fifth goal, when Bridgwater’s defence hesitated in anticipation of a free hit being awarded.

The visitors reacted brilliantly, as Turner pulled another one back, and then the visitors were awarded a penalty stroke.

But Morrish’ s stroke was exceptionally well saved by the keeper diving to the right.

More chances followed, and although the hosts clung on to win, Bridgwater’s display was the best of the season.

Man of the match: Paul Bond

On Saturday, Bridgwater B host Clifton Robinsons C (12.15pm).

South East 2
Bridgwater C 5, Taunton Civil Service A 3

THE 4th XI entertained Taunton Civil Service 2nds.

There were well co-ordinated attacks at both ends, but it was the visitors who took the lead, and although Bridgwater equalised, they were soon 2-1 down again.

The score was 2-2 at half time, and the home side began to take control, taking the lead for the first time and then added a fourth.

A crazy few minutes then followed, with the visitors seeing one strike disallowed and then scoring a penalty flick, only for Bridgwater to net a fifth goal.

The hosts’ goals came from Tilley, Blackmore, Steve Turvey, Steve Wilson and Carwyn Jenkins.

Man of the match: Alex McNeill

This Saturday sees Bridgwater go to basement side Sidmouth & Ottery C (2pm).

South East 3
Bridgwater D 3, Ashmoor C 2

BRIDGWATER 5ths had a crucial bottom-of-the-table clash against Ashmoor.

The game started slowly and the first half was goalless, with Tyler Fagan being denied a goal by an excellent save.

Joe Syvret had the ball in the net upon the restart, but admitted the ball had hit his foot, before two errors allowed Ashmoor to lead 2-0 with 16 minutes left.

Steve Morrish moved up front, and soon Toby Knight found Jim Smith, whose goalbound shot was deflected past a helpless keeper.

Morrish then made a strong run and passed to Nikita Cernikovs, whose shot was diverted in by Fagan to equalise.

Both sides attacked desperately in the search for a winner, but Bridgwater’s Smith won a restart bully, which saw Steve Miller go through one-on-one, and he fluffed it so well it went in.

The hosts held on to take the points, and this weekend they entertain East Devon D (4pm).

Man of the match: Toby Knight

***

West Clubs Women’s League
Central Division
Bridgwater 1, Weston-super-Mare 4

BRIDGWATER ladies 1sts had a local derby against mid-table rivals Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.

Soon the hosts were down a player due to injury, forcing a shuffle of positions.

This led to a series of goals for Weston before the end of the first half.

Bridgwater began the second period knowing there was a lot of work to do, but despite multiple short corners, they could not score.

But, in the final few minutes, a short corner led to a penalty flick for the hosts, and Lucy Burridge stepped up to put it away.

Player of the match: Amy Burridge

This coming Saturday, sixth-placed Bridgwater travel to Firebrands 3rds, who sit seventh (3pm start).

Sedgemoor Division 2
Weston-super-Mare 3rds 2, Bridgwater 2nds 3

THE 2nd XI travelled to Weston, looking to get their first win of 2018.

Bridgwater started well, with Rose Baker and Jess Shobbrook hassling their opponents from the start.

Shobbrook won the ball and passed to Clare Wilson on the edge of the D, who in turn found Baker on the far post to score.

Wilson herself got the second goal, deflecting in Kate Ward’s effort, before Weston pulled one back.

It was 3-1 at half time, though, as Wilson again set up Baker to grab her second of the day.

The hosts scored a second goal from a short corner, but Bridgwater held firm.

Player of the match: Clare Wilson

Mid-table Bridgwater host third-placed White Eagles 3rds next (10.30am).