Tribute South West 1 W

Chard 11, Bridgwater 9

FOR the fourth time in the last six matches, Bridgwater had to be content with a single losing bonus point as they were beaten by Chard, writes Tony Pomeroy.

Bridgwater elected to play uphill and into the wind in the first half but Chris Doak opened the scoring for the home side after two minutes, kicking a simple penalty after Bridgwater infringed at the tackle.

Two minutes later, the boot was on the other foot as Stuart Heal landed a 38m penalty into the wind for a similar offence.

Ali Blundell made a good break for the visitors, which was more than equalled by one from home scrum half Dougie Herbert.

Bridgwater defended stoutly for the first quarter but eventually cracked when, following a driving maul, player-coach, hooker, Simon Jenkins touched down. Doak’s conversion from near the touchline hit the post.

The second quarter saw both sides have chances. Heal was just wide with a very ambitious 45m penalty into the breeze but, just before half time, Doak landed a 42m effort to make the interval score 11-3.

Heal’s second half kick-off put Chard under pressure. They held out for five minutes until they were penalised. Back-chat to the referee cost the home side another 10m and Heal easily narrowed the gap with a 38m penalty.

A third Heal penalty after 13 minutes brought Bridgwater within two points, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.

Doak had a chance to increase his team’s lead with 15 minutes to go but pulled an easy penalty from in front of the posts.

Minutes later, Nick Francis was obstructed while chasing his own chip ahead. Heal’s penalty looked to be long and straight but, at the last moment, the wind got at it and the ball sailed narrowly wide of the near post leaving Chard with a narrow victory.

Albion – Ash Honeywell, Garryn Basson, Rob Allen, Will Kerry, Nick Francis, Stuart Heal, Sam Knights, James Bryant, Ollie Dunn, Joe Bussell, Ali Blundell, Matt Northey, Nick Spellissy, Tayler Buller, Dan Kemmish (capt). Reps: (used) Lovejoy Chawatama, Brian Webb; (unused) Simon Martin.

l On Saturday, Albion host Sidmouth (ko 3pm).