Tribute South West One West

Bridgwater & Albion 39, Camborne 25

BRIDGWATER & Albion climbed to third in South West One West with an impressive victory over high-flying Camborne in a scintillating ten-try contest, writes Tony Pomeroy.

Taylor Buller (2), James Martin, Rob Allen, Stuart Heal and Matt Hastie all crossed for Albion, while Ashwin added nine points from the tee.

After only four minutes, a Bridgwater forward drive at a scrum totally disrupted the visiting pack and Taylor Buller got the touchdown near the posts leaving Chris Ashwin with an easy conversion.

Jervis Manupenu put Bridgwater back on the offensive with a 75 metre kick that reached touch almost on the corner flag.

Camborne repulsed the first attack and cleared their lines for a lineout 40 metres out. Bridgwater's pack again drove forward and suddenly Joe Bussell appeared in the clear, ball in hand.

He ran well and slipped the ball to Matt Hastie who crossed near the posts. Ashwin again converted.

From the kick off, James Bryant gathered the ball and, showing remarkable speed for a prop, made progress before passing to Hastie.

He was stopped, but Bridgwater recycled the ball to the right where Rob Allen still had a lot of work to do before getting the third try - this time unconverted - in the corner.

Camborne came back into the game, with a try from David Mankee - but Bridgwater hit back immediately with an excellent move by the backs ending in a try by James Martin in the corner. Ashwin's conversion went over via the bar.

Camborne narrowed the gap when a concerted forward drive saw flanker, James Goldsworthy, score wide out. Mankee converted with an excellent kick.

Just before half time, Bridgwater lost Ali Blundell to a yellow card and the sides headed in with the score 26-12.

Camborne narrowed the lead at the start of the second half when another forward drive saw hooker, Sam Bartle, score - but Ashwin extended the home lead with a simple penalty.

Camborne narrowed the gap when they moved the ball left for Rob Thirlby to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Bridgwater hit back and saw their chance when Camborne No8 David Roberts was sent to the bin.

However, when a home attack broke down, Camborne put together a good move to take play into the Bridgwater 22.

Despite being shorthanded, Camborne continued to press and were helped when home hooker Hastie also went to the bin. Mankee kicked an easy penalty to make it 29-25 with about 12 minutes to play.

Bridgwater then woke up and scored two short-handed and unconverted tries to seal victory.

Firstly an intricate backs move saw Stu Heal sell an outrageous dummy before scoring with a flamboyant dive.

Secondly, at a scrum on the Camborne 10 metre line, Buller somehow managed to wrestle the ball from Camborne hands and race to the line for a final score of 39-25.

Bridgwater travel to Thornbury this weekend.