Somerset Cup quarter-final

Bridgwater & Albion 27 Hornets 38

BRIDGWATER and Albion exited the Somerset Cup at the quarter-final stage with a 38-27 defeat to National Three side Hornets on Saturday, writes Tony Pomeroy.

Scoring six tries to Bridgwater's three, Hornets were good value for their victory – Nick Spellissy, Rob Bartlett and Ali Blundell touched down for the hosts.

Hornets had all the early pressure and with Kieran Hill missing a straightforward penalty in the first minute, the visitors should have taken the lead.

They also butchered two gilt edged chances with poor handling before, in the 14th minute, skipper Rob Dempsey broke clean through for an unconverted try.

This reverse spurred the home side into action and they began to pressure the visitors.

The home side lost young fly-half James Collings with a leg injury and he was replaced by Chris Ashwin.

A good Bridgwater move ended with Oscar Tregenna being tackled into touch whilst in full flight for the line and the Ashwin missed a very kickable penalty for the home side.

On the half hour, a good Bridgwater move was disrupted by a deliberate knock on by Hornets full-back, Stuart Vinnecombe, who was sent to the naughty step. Ashwin kicked the resulting penalty.

Bridgwater totally dominated the rest of the half and a Rob Gurnett break set up Nick Spellissy for a try and moments later, more good handling saw winger Ryan Bartlett cross under the posts.

Two conversions from Ashwin saw the home side 17-5 up at the interval.

Hornets started the second period in very lively fashion - James Letherby, who had come on at fly-half during the break, broke clean through and handed on to Jermaine Jones who scored under the posts and then converted his own try.

Bridgwater were at sixes and sevens from the kick off and flanker Kade Dillon's try and Jones' conversion took the visitors into a narrow 17-19 lead.

From the kick-off, Hornets were adjudged offside and Ashwin regained the lead for the home side with an excellent penalty.

Around the middle of the half, Hornets pressure coupled with poor Bridgwater defence, saw visiting hooker, Keiran Ward get a brace of tries, both converted by Jones.

Bridgwater hit back and after visiting second row, Courtney Harris, had been sent to the bin, Bridgwater set up a driving maul that was eventually touched down for a try by Ali Blundell.

Ashwin's conversion took the score to 27-33 with a quarter of an hour to go.

Bridgwater brought on club skipper, Ollie Dunn and the very experienced Dan Kemmish to try and sneak the win but the visitors held out and with the final move of the game increased their lead with an unconverted try by replacement Adam Francis.

The club have no game next week as the Newent game was played earlier in the season to avoid a clash with Bridgwater Carnival. The next game will be at Wells on November 14.

Albion: James Martin, Ryan Bartlett, (Brett Shaw 74) Rob Gurnett, Jay Owens, (Matt Ranson 61) Oscar Tregenna, James Collings, (Chris Ashwin 17) Doug Caddick (Scott Franklin 43), James Bryant, Gavin Knight, Joe Bussell (c), Ali Blundell, Rob Thompson (Dan Kemmish 69), Ethan Trebble-Westlake (Ollie Dunn 69), George Sluman (rep Joe Sluman), 61, Nick Spellissy.

SOMERSET CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW

OLD REDCLIFFIANS v WESTON SUPER MARE

NORTH PETHERTON v HORNETS

Matches are to be completed by Sunday February 7, 2016 with the final scheduled for completion by February 28, 2016.