Match report: Exmouth 53, Bridgwater and Albion 5 (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Match report: Exmouth 53, Bridgwater and Albion 5

11:00am Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Bridgwater & Albion News

Bridgwater travelled to high-flying Exmouth for this re-arranged league match more in hope than expectation, writes Tony Pomeroy.

Players, officials and supporters of Bridgwater were given a warm welcome by their Exmouth counterparts but watching the game was something of a surreal experience as the ground is totally lacking in atmosphere with no spectators within twenty yards of the playing surface.

The game itself was very fluid, with both sides throwing the ball about with abandon. Neither side really had anything to lose as Bridgwater are almost certain of relegation and Exmouth just too far below the promotion places.

For Bridgwater, skipper Sam Osborne was at the heart of the attack, running well with the ball in hand and often creating problems for the home defence. However, it was ball retention that often caused the attacks to break down.

Exmouth, however, were always in complete control. They had five tries on the board in the first half hour. The first, after seven minutes, was scored by live-wire scrum half Matt Garner and converted by his half-back partner, Andrew Powell.

The second came with a chip ahead and catch by centre Paul Morgan but twice Bridgwater lost their own put in at the scrum and each time Powell punished them with an unconverted try.

The final try of the half saw Garner's second following an excellent break by prop Nigel Berry to leave the scores at 29-0.

Exmouth started the second half with a try and then Garner completed his hat-trick to extend the home side's lead even further.

James Kerry replaced Dominik Griffin and Joe Stradling then replaced Spellissy for Bridgwater as the visitors embarked upon their best quarter of the game.

A series of concerted attacks saw Bridgwater go close to scoring, none more so than Kerry who was cruising to the line after collecting an exquisite chip ahead by Osborne, when he was hit by a tackler he did not notice and lost the ball on the home line.

However, Bridgwater continued their pressure and from a ruck near the home line, Roger Drabble broke left and handed on to flanker Ollie Dunn who crashed over in the corner for an unconverted try.

But Garner had the final say with his fourth try to complete the 53-5 defeat for Bridgwater.

Next week, Bridgwater are at home to Amersham and Chiltern. Kick off at 3pm.

Bridgwater: Ashley Pippard, Garryn Basson, Sam Osborne (Capt), Matt House, Klye Giblett, Dominik Griffin (rep James Kerry 51), Roger Drabble, Jason Moulding (rep Dave Norman (40), Gavin Knight, Joe Bussell, Matt Northey, Ben Harvey, Nick Spellissy (rep Joe Stradling 56), Ollie Dunn, Dan Kemmish.