Albion's fighting spirit not enough to stop Richmond

1:20pm Sunday 21st March 2010

By Mercury sports reporter

Bridgwater narrowly missed out on a deserved bonus point after scoring three tries in defeat at Richmond on Saturday, writes Tony Pomeroy.

However, they regained their self-esteem following last week’s display and defended very well for most of the game.

Bridgwater gave debuts to flanker Jamie Conn, who started in place of the ill Will Webster, and Ollie Jones and Richard Metcalfe, who both came off the bench.

Bridgwater started brightly but Richmond scored first, skipper Henry Head going over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Matt Hart extended Richmond’s lead, first with a penalty and then by converting Alex Maclennan’s try.

Bridgwater were playing well but squandering their chances, until after a good break by Dominik Griffin, Jake Childs burst through under the posts. Greg Charlton converted.

Greg Hancock and the excellent Will Topps combined to create another chance but Topps was tackled into touch.

Two more tries in the final minutes of the first half sent Richmond in with a 25-7 lead at the break.

Bridgwater defended stoutly in the second half until after 51 minutes, they conceded a penalty try – a decision which mystified even the home officials.

Minutes later, the referee missed a clear knock on by the home side and compounded his error by giving Richmond a penalty which led to another try, this time for Hart, who missed the conversion.

Hancock then finished a superb Bridgwater move which he had begun to score under the posts – his first try since returning from Taunton.

Charlton converted and Hancock very nearly got his second try soon after, but was tackled just short of the line.

However, after Richmond scrum-half Chris Jackson was sinbinned, Jack Kohler scored under the posts.

The game’s final talking point was a brutal shoulder charge on Albion’s James Stark which went unpunished – the referee instead blowing for full-time.

Bridgwater team: Will Topps, Damian Griffin (rep Ollie Jones H/T), Jake Childs, James Stark, Gavin Hancock, Dominik Griffin, Jack Kohler, Alan Trunks, Matt Hastie, James Bryant (rep Damian Marsh 77), Ali Blundell (rep Matt Northey 57), Steve Hunt (Capt), Jamie Conn, Carl Brown (rep Richard Metcalfe 69), Greg Charlton. Rep not used: Will Webster.