Tribute South West One West

Bideford 55 Bridgwater and Albion 24

SIMPLY looking at the score, it is easy to imagine that this was a hammering for Bridgwater, writes Tony Pomeroy.

This, however, is far from the truth - just before half time, Bridgwater were 8-17 in the lead.

This was reduced to 13-17 at the break and with fifteen minutes to go, Bridgwater were still in touch at 27-17.

However, the home side more than doubled their tally in the final quarter of an hour as three Bridgwater errors gifted the home side three converted tries, giving the scoreboard an unreal appearance.

From the kick-off, Bridgwater were their own worst enemies, missing tackle after tackle as a fluent Bideford side tore into their visitors.

Home winger, James Buckland, made the first break and when the ball reached number eight, Dean Folland he registered the first try after less than one minute. Olly Wickett's conversion was wide.

Bideford continued to hammer at the Bridgwater line but the defence held firm.

After seven minutes, Rob Gurnett broke through into the home 22 as Bridgwater mounted their first attack. The ball was patiently recycled and it was eventually moved right where Adrian Tew crashed over from fully one metre out. Chris Ashwin converted with an excellent kick from wide out on the right to give Bridgwater a somewhat unexpected lead at 5-7.

Bridgwater applied more pressure and Ashwin made a half break before handing on to Rob Allen who took the direct route to the line and scored near the posts and leave Ashwin with an easy conversion.

Bideford hit back hard and Bridgwater were fortunate that when they did cross the line, the hosts were unable to ground the ball. Bridgwater were penalised in the aftermath of the five metre scrum and Wickett narrowed the gap to 8-14.

Play flowed from end-to-end as both sides threw everything into attack. In the 34th minute, Bridgwater were awarded their first penalty of the game and almost immediately were awarded their second following a deliberate knock on that saw home winger San Olde sent to the sin bin. It was very refreshing to hear him agree with the referee's decision.

The resulting penalty was on the half way line and, with the aid of a following breeze, Ashwin's kick sailed high over the bar - a remarkable kick.

On the stroke of half time, Bridgwater lost Rob Allen to the sin bin for a technical offence. Bideford set up one final attack deep into injury time and when Bridgwater were again penalised - for the tenth time in the half - Wickett took the kick quickly to touch down.

The second half started like the first - Bideford attacked and Bridgwater missed tackles. However, after six minutes, Bideford took the lead when more weak tackling allowed Buckland to score a try, converted by Wickett.

Bideford then butchered a very good chance for the bonus-point try but it was not long in coming. Folland powered through the visiting defence before handing on to fellow back rower Alex Priest who powered through.

Bideford survived and play went back to the other end of the field. Bridgwater defended desperately but after a series of penalties near their own line, the referee lost patience and awarded a penalty try converted by Wickett. To compound matters, Dan Kemmish was yellow carded for his part in conceding the penalty try.

The final ten minutes were frantic. First, with Bridgwater throwing everything into attack and the Bideford defence holding firm, Ashwin tried a delicate chip into space deep in the home 22. The kick was charged down and Priest broke away from his own 22 before handing on to Calum Sumners who scored easily. Wickett converted.

Bridgwater, still with only 14 men, hit back and skipper, Ollie Dunn, receiving the ball some 40m out managed to break the home defence and scored a fine individual try under the posts making Ashwin's conversion a formality.

The final five minutes got even worse. Jervis Manupenu tried another little chip out of defence but it was gathered by Priest who charged the 30m to the line for his second try, converted by Wickett.

With Bridgwater attacking into injury time, Bridgwater were awarded a penalty in the home 22. Looking to obtain a four-try bonus point they took it quickly and as the ball was passed out, Wickett appearing to be well offside, intercepted the pass and sprinted the 80m to score in the corner. He rubbed salt into the wound by converting with a superb kick.

Next week's opponents, Avonmouth OB, are desperate for points as they are in relegation trouble and will be out to do the double over Bridgwater (3pm).