South West One (W)

Hornets 31, Bridgwater & Albion 42

BRIDGWATER & Albion maintained their winning start to the season when they travelled up the M5 to take on Hornets on their 4G pitch, the first time for many of the visitors that they had experienced playing on such a surface, writes Richard Walsh.

Albion started strongly and Wayne Sprangle set the tone when he burst through the home defence before being held up on the line.

Hornets countered well and on eight minutes a good move involving the  backs was rounded off when winger James went over for a try which Humphris converted.

The visitors responded when Will Monro scored a try which Stuart Heal converted to level the score.

Albion then ook the lead for the first time when James Collings picked up a loose ball and ran through to score a try against his old side which Heal converted.

On the half hour Collings went off injured and was replaced by James Brakes, soon after which Hornets drove towards the Albion line and flanker Howe touched down - Humphris converted to even the scores at 14-14.

Five minutes before half time, second row Steve Pape put Hornets ahead with a try which Humphris converted.

In the last few minutes of the first half Ollie Dunn burst through the middle, but he was held up and it ended 21-14 at the interval.

The hosts extended their lead soon after the re-start when Smith went over for a try which Humphris converted to make it 28-14.

Bridgwater may have been two scores adrift but they responded strongly and shortly afterwards Ryan Barnett, playing in the centre, dotted down for a try which Heal converted.

On the hour mark Hornets kicked a penalty to make it 31-21, but from then on it was Bridgwater who were in the ascendancy.

Almost from the re-start Dunn made a surging run down the left hand side before having the ball knocked out of his hands. Dan Kemmish, making his first appearance of the year, then broke through before passing for Monro to score a try which Heal converted.

By now it was all Bridgwater and, when Kyran Devitt intercepted a pass and ran in from 70 metres a try that Heal converted, the visitors were in front.

Hornets were desperate to regain control of the game and kicked to touch, but from the ensuing line out Albion scavenged well and a run from Brakes led to Heal going over for the final try of the game, which he duly converted to make the score 42-31 to the visitors.

This was a very good all round performance by a Bridgwater team that worked hard throughout the game and dominated the final quarter to run out deserved winners.

Bridgwater and Albion: Will Monro, Ryan Barnett, Rob Gurnett,  James Colllings, Kyran Devitt, Stuart Heal, Tom Fournier; Wayne Sprangle, Ollie Dunn, John Roberts, Dan Kemmish, Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Craig Coleman, Gavin Knight, Matt Ranson.

Replacements all used- Sam Adcock, Brian Webb and James Brakes. 

Keynsham 39, North Petherton 3

NORTH Petherton couldn't keep their own winning start going as they were well beaten at Keynsham.

The hosts raced into a 22-3 lead at the break and scored 15 more unanswered points after the interval, with fly-half Joe Davies helping himself to a hat-trick.

Reuben Edwards and Jack Weston were the other try-scorers, while Sam Challenger was in good form with the boot.