South West One (West)
Exeter University 45, Bridgwater and Albion 5

BRIDGWATER and Albion produced another battling performance away from home in difficult conditions against a University side who ran out deserved winners, writes Richard Walsh.

The early exchanges were even but the hosts opened the scoring just after the 10-minute mark when Will Cutbill went over between the posts from close range for a try that Isaac Hydelman converted.

Exeter extended their lead soon after when Laity scored an unconverted try to make it 12-0.

A below full-strength Bridgwater then held their own for a period against the students, who looked to attack at every opportunity, but on the half an hour a series of good moves across the backs resulted in Rider scoring an unconverted try.

Right on the stroke of half time Exeter University made it 24-0 when Will Manhire scored a try between the posts that was converted by Hydelman.

The visitors started the second half strongly but it was the students who scored next through a try in the left hand corner that was converted. 

Almost from the re-start Exeter scored another try, this time on the right, to make it 38-0.

Bridgwater then played a series of pick and go moves that brought them close to the student line on the left. 

Eventually their pressure was rewarded when Rob Thompson went over, much to the delight of the large contingent of travelling supporters.

The visitors were then reduced to 14 players when Sam Adcock was shown a yellow card for foul play, and during his absence Exeter intercepted a pass and scored between the posts.

Restored to full strength Bridgwater kept on fighting until the final whistle, which went a few minutes early as the game ended 45-5.

Bridgwater and Albion: Lewis Phillips, Sam Adcock, Craig Blyde, Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Aaron Kelly, Luke Brereton, George Sluman, Brad Talbot, Tom Fournier, Stuart Heal, Ryan Barnett, Luke Plummer, Jay Owens, Will Monro, Kyran Devitt.

Replacements- Rob Thompson and Matt Ranson (both used) and Lewis Plece (not used)

South West One (West)

Newent 29, North Petherton 19

NORTH Petherton were edged out in a close encounter at Newent.

The visitors went behind as early as the first minute, when Dan Fletcher went over for a try converted by Tom Devries.

It was 14-0 just 10 minutes later when Tom Martin crossed, but Pethy responded with a try on the stroke of half-time.

The game then got away from the struggling away side in the second half as two Charlie Gellert tries stretched Newent's lead to 26-5 and, though Pethy clawed two back, it was too late to have any impact on the result.