RUGBY: Bridgwater & Albion defeat Teignmouth in South West One West match

BRIDGWATER & Albion got their season off to a winning start as they scored five tries against Teignmouth to claim a convincing victory from a fast-paced match.

Before the start of the game a minute’s silence was observed, in memory of a number of Albion stalwarts who had passed away during the summer months.

Teignmouth then took the lead almost from the kick-off thanks to Callum Browse, who picked the ball up on the right wing and ran to the line to score, with the try being converted by Mike Saxton.

The hosts eventually settled, and hit back following a charge-down, with number 8 Brad Talbot scoring to the right of the posts on his Bridgwater debut.

The reliable boot of Stuart Heal converted the try to level the scores.

The home side led shortly afterwards, thanks to a Heal penalty, and the Albion kicker slotted home another on 15 minutes to extend their advantage.

Just before the half-hour mark Teignmouth’s Jack Bowen was sin-binned, and from the restart Talbot ran through to score on the left, which Heal again converted to make it 20-7 at the break.

The hosts started the second half strongly and within two minutes Oscar Tregenna broke down the right wing before touching down behind the posts, Heal again converting.

Bridgwater were very much on top at this stage, and went further ahead when the ball was chipped ahead down the right for Kyran Devitt to gather, and he raced through to score between the posts, Heal adding the extras to make it 34-7.

Teignmouth were not going to surrender, however, and when Albion had Dave Norman carded, the visitors scored a pushover try through Luke Pattinson which was converted by Saxton.

Despite being a man down the hosts continued to attack at every opportunity, and with 20 minutes left Ryan Barnett ran through to score, and Heal converted.

In the dying minutes the hosts had Talbot yellow carded, and in the last play of the game Saxton scored a try for Teignmouth, converting it himself to make the final score 41-21 to Albion.

Bridgwater & Albion: Matt Ranson, Ollie Dunn (capt), Dave Norman, Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Rob Thompson, Dan Kemmish, George Sluman, Brad Talbot, Tom Fournier D’Able, Stuart Heal, Will Monro, Luke Plummer, Ryan Barnett, Oscar Tregenna, Kyran Devitt. Replacements (all used): Gavin Knight, Mike Saunders and Jay Owens.

This coming Saturday Albion travel to take on Bideford, who beat Thornbury in North Devon 33-31.

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DASH: North Petherton's Carl Brown bursting through, scoring from a lineout. Pic: Chris Hancock

South West 1 West
Cullompton 33, North Petherton 28

NORTH Petherton let a 25-12 lead slip as they fell to a last-gasp opening day defeat against Cullompton.

The hosts took a 12-8 lead into half-time, with Aiden Cotton’s try and Harry Roberts’ penalty getting Pethy on the board, but the visitors flew out the traps in the second half.

Tries from Carl Brown, following a slick lineout move, and Harry Auton, whose try was converted by Roberts, put them in control.

Roberts slotted another penalty to open up a 13-point advantage, but the hosts hit back hard, with two converted tries edging them in front.

In a rollercoaster finish to the match, Roberts kicked another penalty to re-establish Pethy’s lead, but Cullompton, who had already missed a penalty, scored at the death for a 33-28 win.

Next Saturday sees Pethy host Drybrook, who lost 17-13 at home to Newent last weekend.