THERE is a mood of quiet confidence in the Bridgwater & Albion camp ahead of their first match of 2017, against Newent at College Way on Saturday (ko 2.15pm).

Currently the Albion find themselves in eighth place in the South West One (West) table, two places below their visitors.

When the sides met earlier in the season it was the hosts who exploited their notoriously sloping pitch to run out 27-7 winners.

However that was back at the end of September, since when the Albion have honed their game plan and notched up seven victories in total.

Looking ahead, Albion head coach Simon Morrell said: “To get the chance of hosting Newent on our own ground is quite exciting for us because to be honest when we played them away it was a bit of a horror show for us.

“We didn’t have a great start to our season, but since then we have moved forward a long way and developed considerably as a team.

“Of course we know that Newent are going to be tough but anyone coming to face us at home, where we get great support, are up against it.”

On the availability side of things, Morrell said: “We hope to have Luke Plummer back with us on Saturday after injury, which is a big plus for us.

“We have also signed a new prop called Paul Smith who has previously played for both Taunton and Wellington, so he may well be available for us.

“I am also hoping that Nick Spellissy is back training this week and he could well have a big role to play in our side for the remainder of the season.”

The Albion boss added: “Our pack will be a lot stronger than it was when we played at Newent in September and we have improved considerably in other areas as well, so we are a lot stronger than we were then so I am expecting a good show from the boys to kick off the 2017.”

Bridgwater & Albion 2nd XV travel to Crewkerne on Saturday (ko 2.15pm), while the 3rds are at North Petherton 2nds (ko 2.30pm).

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NORTH Petherton enter 2017 as one of four teams in South West 1W to have won seven and lost seven of their first 14 matches.

They also sit seventh out of 14 teams, but only four points off the team in fourth spot, Bideford.

After their break over the festive period, they return to action this Saturday (ko 2.30pm) with a trip to Matson, who currently sit ninth in the standings having also recorded seven victories and seven defeats up to now.

North Petherton won the reverse fixture on home turf in September, by a 26-18 scoreline.

As well as having drawn first blood against Matson this season, Pethy can take confidence from their last result before Christmas.

That was 97-8 romp at home to bottom side Midsomer Norton, in which the hosts scored 15 tries, as they leapfrogged local rivals Bridgwater & Albion for the seventh spot they now occupy.

Albion are the opponents in Pethy’s next match after the Matson encounter, Pethy the hosts for that tasty-looking clash on January 14.

North Petherton 2nd XV, meanwhile, host Bridgwater & Albion 3rds (ko 2.30pm)

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SOMERSET 2 South pace-setters Morganians kick off their year at home to Chard 2nd XV this Saturday (ko 2pm).

Morgs played 12 and won 12 before the Christmas break, which has given them an 18-point advantage over second-placed Burnham 2nds, who have also played one game more.

The leaders’ opponents on Saturday, Chard, are 10th in the table, with six wins and six losses.

They gave Morgs a scare in the reverse fixture in September though, the visitors winning 26-20 in their tightest game of the season so far.