Tribute South West One West

Bridgwater & Albion 29, Newent 13

BRIDGWATER climbed to the top of South West One West with an impressive 29-13 victory over previously unbeaten Newent, writes Tony Pomeroy.

Albion outscored the visitors by four tries to two to gain a very valuable bonus-point, with Jervis Manupenu, Taylor Buller, James Martin and Rob Allen on the score sheet.

This game was brought forward so that it would not clash with Bridgwater Carnival on November 7 and was the only league match played this weekend.

Bridgwater opened the scoring after three minutes when Chris Ashwin landed a 30m penalty.

They then put the visitors under enormous pressure and eventually visiting flanker, Lee Warren, was binned for a cynical scrummage offence.

Bridgwater continued to hammer the Newent line and when the ball was moved right, fly-half Jervis Manupenu just managed to sneak over in the corner for an unconverted try.

He was injured in the act of scoring and a few minutes later, departed the field to be replaced by flanker, Luca Ercolani.

On the half hour, Taylor Buller increased the home lead when he burst over from a lineout for a try converted by Ashwin.

Approaching half time, Bridgwater scored what could be the try of the season.

From a scrum on halfway the ball went right to fly-half, Ashwin - he executed a sublime pass wide to James Martin, hitting the line at speed somewhere near the opposition 10m line. His pace took him through several attempted tackles and he crossed the line wide out before cutting in to score under the posts.

Ashwin's conversion gave the home side a 22-0 interval lead.

Newent attacked with renewed vigour at the start of the second period but could not break down a resolute home defence until the 55th minute when second row Dan Fletcher crashed over wide out for an unconverted try.

Newent kept up the pressure and mid way through the half, narrowed the gap with a penalty kicked by skipper, Ross Webb.

Bridgwater hit back and achieved only their second bonus-point of the season when Rob Allen, who had run forcefully all afternoon, crashed over in the corner - Ashwin converted with a superb kick.

Newent did not lie down and when Bridgwater lost control at the back of a lineout, flanker George Phelps scored their second unconverted try.

Bridgwater lost scrum half, Tom Fournier-D'Albe with a nasty finger injury and No 8 Taylor Buller, bleeding profusely from a head wound as well as flanker Luca Ercolani to a yellow card in the final minutes but held out for a comprehensive and well-deserved victory.