South West One (W)
Teignmouth 22, Bridgwater & Albion 40

BRIDGWATER & Albion bounced back from their poor display against Okehampton the previous weekend to gain an impressive away win over Teignmouth, writes Barry Knott.

Head coach Simon Morrell, understandably, made changes for the trip to Devon, including bringing in new boys Harry Collins (hooker) and Paul Ash-Smith (prop).

Back rower Nick Spellissy also made the starting line-up for the first time this season, and played his part in a thoroughly deserved victory for Morrell’s men.

Albion held an 18-7 advantage at half time and then turned the screw, storming into a 33-7 lead.

It was then a question of how many they would win by, rather than if they would win.

The visitors got off to a bright start with Stuart Heal kicking a fourth-minute penalty.

Sam Britton snapped up a 16th-minute try for Albion, and Heal added another penalty not long after.

The visitors continued to dominate and Tom Fournier crossed the Seasiders’ try-line, with Heal converting to make it 18-0.

There was a slight hiccup when Teignmouth finally got on the scoresheet with a converted try.

But Albion enjoyed their best spell of the game just after half time, with Taylor Buller scoring two tries and Heal kicking a penalty and conversion to make it 33-7 – a position which they were going to hold onto with ease.

Teignmouth hit back with two tries, showing they weren’t giving up, before Heal helped himself to a try which he converted from wide out.

The Devonians managed another unconverted try to gain a losing point, but the day belonged to Albion – who looked unrecognisable from the previous week.

Second row Dan Kemmish made his 350th appearance for Albion – what a player he has been for the club.

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BRIDGWATER & Albion went “back to the basics” at Teignmouth in South West One (W) on Saturday – and it paid off handsomely.

Albion romped to a 40-22 victory in Devon following a poor display the previous weekend at home to Okehampton.

“There were not a lot of positives to take from the game against Okes,” said head coach Simon Morrell.

“We worked hard in training last week and it paid off.

“We dominated territory and had long spells in their half. It was a real shot in the arm for us.”

Albion, who lost 54-0 on the same ground last season, made changes from their last outing, one of which saw Taylor Buller, normally a No 8, at centre.

“He was tremendous,” added Morrell, who has welcomed the break from rugby this coming weekend.

“We had to match them physically.

“We also had to not over-react to the defeat by Okehampton and to keep things on an even keel.

“We will be carrying out fitness tests this week in training and looking at conditioning data.

“We have to think of everything and to work hard, because we can get better.”

Morrell is also looking forward to the following weekend’s home game against Thornbury, who have been playing well this season, although they lost 27-12 at home to Matson and remain third in the table.

“We would like to beat a top form side now and to start pushing up the table.

“We’re eighth but we’re only four points behind Drybrook who are fourth,” said Morrell.

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ALBION’S 2nd XV lost 23-10 at home to Old Redcliffians 2nds on Saturday in the Somerset Premier, and go to Wiveliscombe this coming weekend.

Bridgwater 3rds, beaten 53-3 by Winscombe 2nds at the weekend, travel to Wiveliscombe 2nds this Saturday in Somerset 2 South.