Western Counties (North): Old Redcliffians 2nds 40-26 Bridgwater & Albion RFC

BRIDGWATER & Albion made the trip up the M5 to face unbeaten Old Reds where they may have lost, but can hold their heads high for the way they performed throughout against tough opponents, writes Richard Walsh.

The opening exchanges were even but after 12 minutes it was the hosts who opened the scoring with a converted try.

Bridgwater fought back well and won a penalty which Harrison Greenslade slotted home to make the score 7-3.

Old Reds extended their lead when they went over for an unconverted try after a kick to the corner and soon after went further ahead with a converted try.

The visitors kept themselves in the game well and were duly rewarded with another penalty which Greenslade kicked, shortly after which the whistle for half time blew with the score 19-6

Albion were playing down the slope in the second half and early on were awarded a penalty which Greenslade kicked. The visitors won another penalty this time a long range affair almost from the half way line which Kyran Devitt kicked making the score 19-12.

From the re-start Old Reds stretched their lead with a converted try, but soon afterwards they had a player yellow carded. While they were down to 14 players Albion won a penalty which Josh Frost took quickly and went onto score a try in the corner which Greenslade converted to make the score 26- 19.

Old Reds responded strongly and a move that started on their own 22 resulted in a converted try. The hosts were then awarded  a penalty which was taken quickly  and ended with another converted try which took the score to 40-19.

Bridgwater were not done however and after winning an Old Reds scrum Greenslade went over for the final score of the match which he then converted making the final score Old Reds 40- Bridgwater and Albion 26.

After the game Geoff Sluman the Albion director of rugby said: “We have developed our game well today against tough opponents and I am very pleased with the progress we are making.”

He added: “Among the squad there is a definite desire to improve and we will be working hard in training this week. We are all looking forward to our home game against Chipping Sodbury on Saturday.”