Tribute South West One West

Bridgwater & Albion 23, North Petherton 13

BRIDGWATER & Albion avenged October’s 9-5 defeat to local rivals North Petherton with a hard-fought victory in a colossal battle at College Way on Saturday, write Tony Pomeroy and Simon Freeman.

In front of a crowd estimated at about 1,500, Chris Ashwin returned an 18-point haul with a try, three penalties and two conversions, while James Martin also crossed for the hosts.

Dan Frost and Carl Brown scored Pethy’s tries, with Harry Roberts also adding a penalty – but Albion ran out deserved winners.

Bridgwater kicked off and had first use of the cold, stiff breeze blowing straight down the pitch.

The home side exerted early pressure but could not break a resolute Pethy defence.

Bridgwater lost wing Garryn Basson to a yellow card for foul play after 12 minutes – and the visitors set up a driving maul following this penalty and flanker Dan Frost scored in the corner. Harry Roberts could not convert.

Bridgwater narrowed the gap with a Chris Ashwin penalty from 25 metres when North Petherton infringed at a tackle, before Chad Lowrie, who ran powerfully all afternoon, made a good break for the visitors but his chip ahead was minored.

A penalty to the corner then set up a Bridgwater forward drive that was initially repulsed. But the ball was recycled to the left where Ashwin scythed through the visiting defence for a try, which he converted himself.

As half-time approached, a second Bridgwater try mirrored the first. A penalty to 10 metres and a driving maul from the lineout was again followed by the ball going left. A huge miss-pass from Jervis Manupenu put Martin in a gap and he cruised to the line leaving Ashwin with a relatively easy conversion.

With the final kick of the half, Ashwin also landed a 47 metre penalty to leave the score 20-5 at the break.

Some of the many former players watching the game wondered if a 15-point advantage would be enough, given the strength of the breeze. Only time would tell.

The second half began positively for the visitors, who immediately placed Albion under pressure. Pethy moved the ball smartly and looked like they would cross, only to be met by robust defending. Harry Roberts slotted over a penalty after sustained pressure to narrow the gap – and the momentum, like the wind, was with the visitors.

Jacob Beleski placed a penalty into the corner and, again, the forwards went to work driving perfectly to free Carl Brown to power over and get the Petherton supporters believing another comeback was possible.

Perhaps the decisive moment of the second half came when North Petherton replacement prop Pete Dickens was yellow carded. As no replacement prop was available, the scrummages became uncontested until Dickens returned.

In the meantime, Bridgwater pressure brought a penalty for Ashwin that ended the scoring and a 23-13 victory for the home side.

Bridgwater remain in third place with 63 points, just four points behind Ivybridge, while North Petherton are still in sixth place with 45 points.

l On Saturday, Bridgwater visit runaway league leaders, Cleve, who won narrowly 28-27 when the sides met at College Way earlier in the season.

l North Petherton’s next opponents are Wells, who visit Beggar’s Brook.