South West 1 West
Bideford 35, Bridgwater & Albion 22

BRIDGWATER & Albion made the trip to North Devon on Saturday, where despite losing two key players to injury they led several times, only to lose out to a Bideford side who scored three times in the final 10 minutes.

The visitors welcomed Matt Hastie to the side, back after a break of two seasons, to make his 254th appearance for the Albion.

But just one minute in, Bridgwater lost Ollie Dunn with a foot injury, with the skipper being replaced by Shaun Mahoney.

The visitors regrouped quickly and after five minutes a great move involving Stuart Heal, Luke Plummer and Brad Talbot resulted in Kyran Devitt scoring a try, which Heal duly converted.

Bideford responded strongly and created considerable pressure that resulted in them being awarded two penalties, the second of which saw prop forward Richie Norman bundled over the line for an unconverted try.

After 15 minutes Adam Coneybeare, making his debut at scrum-half, created space and started a good move, but Albion were unable to turn their advantage into points.

They did however extend their lead when strong running from Talbot and Plummer again resulted in Devitt racing through to score an unconverted try which made the score 12-5.

On 35 minutes Bideford reduced the gap when TJ Hyam slotted home a penalty, and shortly afterwards the hosts took the lead for the first time, when following a line out they drove 20 metres, their scrum-half chipped the ball forward, and Rob Elliott gathered to score.

Hyam converted to make the score 15-12 at the break.

Almost from the kick-off, Albion levelled the scores, as Heal kicked a penalty, straight after which he limped off injured.

Bideford continued to attack strongly, and after 52 minutes Hyam regained the lead for the hosts when his penalty made it 18-15.

Bridgwater responded in the best possible way, though, as a great run by Plummer, now playing as fly-half, led to Ethan Trebble-Westlake scoring a try which Devitt converted, to put the visitors back in the lead.

Shortly afterwards, George Sluman was yellow carded and during his absence Bideford prop Norman scored an unconverted try to regain the lead for his side.

On 73 minutes Bideford scored a further try, centre Elliott going over, and Hyam converted to make the score 30-22.

Just before the final whistle Elliott made a strong break from the midfield which resulted in a Bideford scrum, from which flanker Dean Folland went over for a try, making the final score 35-22.

Bridgwater & Albion: Tom Fournier, Ryan Barnett, Jay Owen, Luke Plummer, Kyran Devitt, Stuart Heal, Adam Coneybeare, Matt Ransom, Alan Roberts, Kurt Polley, Ollie Dunn, George Sluman, Brad Talbot. Replacements (all used): Tom Lewis, Lewis Phillips, Shaun Mahoney.