BRIDGWATER & Albion begin their 2018/19 South West 1 West campaign this Saturday with an away fixture at Thornbury, which is never an easy place to go and win, writes Richard Walsh.

Ahead of the first match, director of rugby Geoff Sluman said: “We have had a really busy summer. 

“Our pre-season training started in July; we have changed our coaching structure, with Wayne Sprangle and Richard Bright as player-coaches. 

“These two are supported by Carl Rimmer and Ollie Devoto from the Exeter Chiefs squad.

“The coaches have worked really hard and all of the players responded brilliantly, which has meant we have changed just about everything in terms on moves and calls.

“The guys have worked really hard on developing different gameplans too, and the players have really bought into what the coaches are doing. 

“Our two pre-season matches have gone well and we are pleased with all of the preparations to date.”

Regarding the first batch of fixtures, Sluman added: “The first month is quite a challenging one, with the first game away at Thornbury, where we have traditionally struggled on their slightly sloping pitch that they play very well on, and they are always a competitive side.

“Our second match is away to Hornets, who were relegated from the league above, so we will expect them to be strong too, with the experience they have of playing at the higher level. 

“Our first home match is on Saturday, September 15 against Cullompton, with two further fixtures in the month away to Devonport Services and finally home to Coney Hill.

“You can’t read too much into the first month’s results until a few sides have played each other and you consider the results of each you won’t be able to understand much. 

“There is also still much that could change in terms of which players are available for all of the teams in September, so that is another reason why we will not concern ourselves with the results of others.

“In the first month we will focus on our style of play and how we start to deploy the new calls and game plans in competitive league situations.”

He added: “Albion’s 2nd XV are in Tribute Somerset 1 this season, and their campaign starts a week later on September 8, with a fixture at Tor RFC. 

“The 3rd XV are playing in Somerset 2 South, and they will be the first team playing league rugby at College Way, with their opening fixture on September 8 at home to Minehead Barbarians 2nds.”

He added: “We are all eager for the season to start and we are ready to go. 

“There is always more you can do to prepare but there comes a point when we want to play competitive league rugby to develop things further, and we are at that point now. 

“I would like to wish all the players and all of the teams all the best for the season; it will be great to be playing rugby again.”

In the same division, North Petherton - who had a strong finish to last season - begin against Comey Hill.

Pethy have lost one of last season's stars in Sam Williams, the front-row forward who has been snapped up by Taunton Titans, but they will hope to again provide entertaining rugby to their supporters at Beggars Brook.