Match report: Bridgwater & Albion 22, Oxford Harlequins 36 (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Match report: Bridgwater & Albion 22, Oxford Harlequins 36

8:00am Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Bridgwater & Albion News

IN PERFECT conditions, the scoreline would suggest a good game but this was far from the case as errors abounded all over the field, writes Tony Pomeroy.

Apart from losing their first line-out, the home pack had a good day in the set pieces, often putting the visitors under pressure in the scrummage.

Bridgwater were very slow to get into gear when the starting whistle blew and the visitors had the game won in the first 15 minutes.

Firstly, centre Johno Tevita broke through leading to a try by fullback Huw Jones, converted by Matt Smith and, from the kick-off, Bridgwater errors led to a second try, this time scored by Tevita and again converted by Smith.

Oxford scored a third try and a penalty to take a 21-0 lead before Bridgwater sparked into life through a quickly-taken penalty kick 35 metres out which saw second row Rob Thompson gallop over the line.

Royal Navy and Combined Services player Marshall Cormack, re-signed for Bridgwater on his return from Afghanistan, was sin-binned for an alleged tackle offence before Kyle Giblett ran over Albion’s second try for a 10-24 half time score.

Oxford started the second half with another try to secure their bonus point before Bridgwater’s Dan Kemmish was replaced by Ollie Dunn after sustaining a hamstring strain.

A great break by Drabble should have narrowed the gap but his pass to Dunn was mishandled. However, Drabble made sure moments later after a fine individual try from near the halfway line.

Oxford drew further ahead before Ali Blundell was red-carded for an alleged punch.

Prop Joe Bussell gave Bridgwater a bonus point after he fought his way over from 40m for a superb individual effort which must be a candidate for ‘try of the season’, which was converted by Pippard.

Bridgwater pay a visit to fourth-placed Exmouth next week.

Albion: Nick Francis (rep Garryn Basson 17), Ashley Pippard, Sam Osborne, Matt House, Kyle Giblett, Dominik Griffin, Roger Drabble, James Bryant, Matt hastie, Joe Bussell, Ali Blundell, Rob Thompson, Marshall Cormack, Nick Spellissy, Dan Kemmish (rep Ollie Dunn 44). Rep not used: Dale Walker.