Western Counties (North): Clevedon 15-31 Bridgwater & Albion

Bridgwater and Albion produced one of their best performances of the season to beat Clevedon who were above them in the league, to send their large contingent of travelling supporters back down the M5 with plenty to celebrate, writes Richard Walsh.

Before the start of the match, that was played in very wet and muddy conditions, the players and supporters observed a minutes silence to remember the fallen from the two world wars.

When play did get underway it was Clevedon who claimed the early possession but after five minutes Bridgwater started to create pressure and won a scrum well into home territory shortly after which the visitors were awarded a penalty which was narrowly missed.

In the 14th minute Bridgwater took the lead after a good break by James Collings he passed to Kyran Devitt who went over for a try which he then converted.

The visitors extended their lead following a sustained period of pressure Alex Knight ran through to score to the left of the posts, which Devitt again added the extras to.

Clevedon came back strongly and a series of moves saw them close to the try line but the Bridgwater defence was able to clear and relieve the pressure.

On the half hour Clevedon worked their way back up the field and won a scrum  close to the Bridgwater line from which Jonathan Hicks went over in the corner.

The visitors responded strongly and following a forceful run through the middle by Tom Croal the ball was passed to Devitt who went over for a try in the left hand corner.

Once again Clevedon responded well through a series of moves and created pressure on the Albion line, but the danger was repelled.

With half time approaching a series of good moves involving the Albion’s backs resulted in Harrison Cornish crashing over to the left of the posts for a try which Devitt converted which made the score 26-5 to the visitors at the break.

Clevedon started strongly after the interval and after two minutes they were awarded a penalty which Ethan Thomas slotted home.

The home side threatened the Bridgwater line on several occasions but were held at bay by the strong defence.

The visitors kept on the attack and it was from a Clevedon clearance that the hosts second try came. Jon Giltrow hacked forward and chased the ball from deep in his own half before scoring a try which Thomas converted making the score 15-26.

In the last few minutes the Clevedon forwards were in the ascendancy at the scrum,  but a long kick from well inside their own half to touch by Jay Owens close to the line resulted in George Sluman diving over for an unconverted try making the final score 31-15 to Bridgwater.

This coming Saturday second in the table Longlevens are the visitors at College Way, who will provide another good challenge for this ever improving Bridgwater and Albion side.