BRIDGWATER & Albion head coach Kevin Innalls has urged his side to improve on last season’s ninth place finish in South West One, when the new league campaign gets under way on Saturday.

Albion start with a tough trip to Cornish side St Austell and are set to include new signing Jervis Manupenu in the starting line-up for season opener.

Manupenu has joined from local rivals North Petherton – while Australian fullback James Martin arrives in the country next week.

Despite a tough start to the season, Innalls believes his side have more than enough quality to improve on last season’s showing – he said: “I think it’s a tough league this season, with a lot of strong sides – and we’ve got a tough start at St Austell on Saturday.

“But we’re going to go down and have a go, let rip and see what happens. They’re a good side but we’re going to give it a good go.

“I think we’re in a position at the club where we have got a good player base – and we need to push on and finish higher than we did last season and show that we are progressing.

“We’re not going to say that we are going to win the league or get promotion, we are willing to build for two of three years before we start thinking about that.”

Albion host Thornbury the following weekend (September 13) before travelling to Avonmouth Old Boys on September 20.

Pre-season Friendly Morganians 17, Castle Cary 12 A NEW-look Morganians side put in the perfect preparation for the new season with a victory over Castle Cary on Saturday.

Morganians had a number of starting players missing due to various work and holiday commitment,s so had a match-day squad of 19 to play with.

With three early injuries in the key positions of prop, second row and centre, their backs were against the wall from the beginning.

A well-worked backs move resulted in an early try for Castle Cary on the five-minute mark, which was not converted.

Morgs then brought their play together and attacked with structure where, from a turnover on the halfway line, by a wide forwards pod hit up, quick ball at the ruck released the flying young backline, which put fullback Ryan Rossiter in for his second try of the 2014/15 season.

Castle Cary were relentless in their attack and showed their class from the division above, but Morgs’ defence stood strong.

A quick break from a blindside attack from a ruck saw well-worked passing between Ryan Rossiter and Will Hopkins, which let the captain onto score his first try of the season, to which he converted.

A number of injuries prevented Morgs from maintaining continuity in the third quarter, however sheer heart and a neversay- die attitude prevented them from conceding any further points in the third quarter.

The final quarter was riddled with changes to people in key positions, but Morgs managed to hold on to the win despite a late 75th minute try from Castle Cary.

Morganians start their league campaign on Saturday with a tough fixture at Weston Hornets.

BRIDGWATER & Albion’s junior section kicked off the new season with a hugely successful open day on Sunday.

Boys and girls from ages five to 16 came together for a day of training and activities – and Youth Rugby Chairman David Pomeroy was overwhelmed by the influx of new players.

He said: “It was absolutely brilliant to see so many new faces at the club today – and some old ones, too.

“We have had over 150 children at the club today have come together to show their passion for sport and the game of Rugby Football.

“In particular it is so good to see the children of Bridgwater bucking the trend and putting down the electronic toys, using loads of energy and enjoying themselves with some outdoor sporting fun.”

If you missed the registration day, it's not too late – the Youth Rugby squad will be at the club every Sunday from now until the end of April.