Papa John’s National Cup: Bridgwater & Albion RFC 23-38 Gordano RFC

Bridgwater ended their season with a home match against Gordano in the Papa John’s National Cup, a game in which they led for an hour, but in the end disappointingly lost.

The first half belonged to Bridgwater who welcomed back Will Monro who was a constant threat to Gordano and it was the winger who made a break down the right which led to a penalty on seven minutes which went wide.

Monro continued his menacing runs, and on 20 minutes Bridgwater were  awarded two penalties close to the line on the right side in quick succession, both of which were kicked to touch and from the ensuing line out opportunities were created but neither resulted in a score.

On 25 minutes Gordano mounted their first attack through a solo effort which was cleared and from the kick Monro gathered the ball in his own half and ran to the line to score a try which Tom Steer converted.

Shortly afterwards the hosts were awarded a penalty just inside the Gordano half for an infringement at the line out which Steer slotted home to extend the lead,

On 35 minutes Gordano mounted another attack and after a period of pressure were rewarded when Will Wade scored a try which Connor King converted.

On 40 minutes Monro scored his second try, this time after he hacked a loose ball forward which he chased before scoring.

With the game going into overtime Bridgwater added to their score when Steer kicked a penalty awarded for another infringement at the line out which made it 18-7 to the hosts at the break.

Gordano came out strongly after the interval and soon after the re-start Stuart Harris scored a try which King converted.

The visitors took the lead for the first time after 20 minutes when King made a strong break before scoring a try which he then converted to make it 18-21. Almost from the kick off Gordano added tho their lead when Brad Stonehaven scored a try which King converted.

Bridgwater weren’t done yet  and going into the last 10 minutes they reduced the arrears when Lewis Plece crossed for a try, which closed the gap to 23-28.

However Gordano came back strongly and after King kicked another penalty to take the lead to eight points, in the final minutes scrum half Scott McGrath went over for a try which King converted to make the final score Bridgwater and Albion 23- Gordano 38.

Bridgwater and Albion RFC- Jack Blissett, Will Monro, Lewis Plece, Taylor Buller, Danny Mahoney, Tom Steer, Ollie Phillips, Matt Ranson, Gavin Knight, Graham Slorance, Tom Hopkins, Tom West, Josh Parker, Harriosn Cornisha and Shaun Mahoney.

Replacements all used- Cam Modley, Leigh Parker and Taylor Galloway.