BRIDGWATER & Albion were left regretting the chances they failed to capitalise on in the opening 20 minutes of their home game against Teignmouth, who ran out the eventual winners of this keenly-contested match, writes Richard Walsh.

Following the game, coach Simon Morrell slammed the team, saying their second half performance was 'shambolic' and that the post-match anaylsis was 'brutal.

The hosts opened the scoring after three minutes when Stuart Heal kicked a penalty from 45 yards following an infringement.

Teignmouth wasted no time in responding and, two minutes later, scrum-half Kyran Rendle nipped over for an unconverted try.

Heal regained the lead for Bridgwater, slotting home another long-range penalty, following which the hosts created a number of chances they were unable to score from.

Just after the half-hour, however, hooker Shaun Mahoney finished off a good move across the three-quarters with a brilliant try that Heal converted to make the score 13-5 to the home side.

At the other end, however, Teignmouth kept on attacking and, on the stroke of half-time, were rewarded with an unconverted try from winger Dan Luffman to make it 13-10 at the break.

The Devon side started strongly and, after nine minutes of play No 8 Alex Ford crossed for a try that remained unconverted.

With the score at 13-15, the final half-hour’s play was hard-fought as each side tried to secure the game for themselves but both defences held firm.

In the end, with a minute to go, Teignmouth were awarded a penalty that Daniel Force kicked to make the final score 13-18.

Speaking after the game, Morrell said: “Post reaction from Teignmouth has and will be brutal.

“I have replayed this game over and over and to be honest my assessment is, this was a big step backwards. Perhaps more disappointing was the boys didn’t seem to ‘want it’ as much as them.

“I felt we were pretty good for the first 20 minutes, exiting well, imposing ourselves on them defensively and Stu Heale mixed things up in the middle third.

“The second half was shambolic at best. 

“We ran everything and became very predictable. We also came off second best in every collision at the gain line and Teignmouth’s back row taught us a lesson at the breakdown. 

“Chuck two yellows into the mix and you have the perfect example of how not to approach a 40-minute half."

Looking ahead, Morrell added: “Thankfully, we really do have a clear direction for the next two weeks in training.

“We all know we can be 60 per cent better than this.

“If the boys read this I am sure we will see a marked improvement to our game management next time out.
 

Bridgwater & Albion - Roger Drabble, Owen Tregenna, Rob Allen, James Collins, Ryan Barnett, Stuart Heal, Tom Fournier D’Albe, Lewis Phillips, Shaun Mahoney, Joe Bussell, Dan Kemmish, Ali Blunder, Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Ollie Dunn (capt) and Mick Norman. Replacements - Luke Plummer and Taylor Bill (both used); Matt Ransom (not used).