8:48am Sunday 14th March 2010
HENLEY continued in their fine form of last week with this seven try demolition of a plucky but ultimately outclassed Bridgwater side, writes Tony Pomeroy.
The home side were never really in the game and saw almost every error severely punished by the visitors.
The commitment shown by the Bridgwater players cannot be faulted but, given their inexperience, they will make errors and take wrong decisions. If they can learn then they will become better players and hopefully the results will come, although they may have to wait until next season.
Bridgwater’s relatively inexperienced side knew they were up against it in the first minutes of the game.
Despite winning turnover ball and gaining a quickly-taken penalty, poor ball retention by the home side saw the ball in Henley hands and Jack Shaylor, later nominated as the man of the match, cruised in for the opening try converted by Will Fulton.
Gavin Hancock’s break saw Bridgwater on the attack leading to a simple penalty for Greg Charlton.
Bridgwater then tried a clever lineout move that almost brought a try. It had worked last week, but not on this occasion!
The crowd were unhappy at an apparent punch thrown by Andy Dalgleish that was missed by all the officials and then Bridgwater were twice penalised at the tackle.
From the second penalty, Charlie Thompson scored following a series of rolling mauls. Fulton converted as he did on the stroke of half time when Will Jones scored following an arcing run through the home defence, making the half time score 3-21.
Bridgwater started the second period brightly but it was not to be their day.
The second half, after the initial Bridgwater burst, was total one-way traffic as Henley piled on the pressure with tries for Neil Baggett, Will Fulton, Steve Green and Jack Hennings, with three conversions from Fulton. To their credit, Bridgwater did not give up but ended well beaten by a better side. The five points gained will surely cement Henley’s place in this league for next season while Bridgwater are resigned to life in a lower division.
Scorers
Bridgwater & Albion
Pen: Charlton
Henley Hawks
Tries: Shaylor, Thompson, Jones, Baggett, Fulton, Green, Hemmings
Cons: Fulton (x6)
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