Tribute South West 1 West
Bridgwater & Albion 34, Thornbury 19

BRIDGWATER & Albion rounded off their season with a five-try victory over a youthful Thornbury side who provided strong opposition and remained threatening throughout, writes Richard Walsh.

Cheered on by an extra 200 guests who attended the Friends of Bridgwater & Albion luncheon prior to the game, the hosts absorbed early pressure and then took the lead after 15 minutes when Jay Owens went over left of the posts for an unconverted try.

Home winger Will Monro produced a scintillating run from inside his own half deep into Thornbury territory, to start a move that was eventually rounded off when George Sluman broke away from a driving maul to score a try that Stuart Heal duly converted, making it 12-0.

The visitors responded strongly and in a short time they had drawn level, when firstly Jake Wood scored a try that he converted himself, and almost from the restart Louis Ogilvie went over to the left of the posts.

Just before half-time Heal slotted a penalty to give the hosts a slender 15-12 lead at the interval.

Thornbury started the second half strongly but the home defence held firm, and on 63 minutes a move down the left wing was rounded off by Sluman’s second try, which Heal added the extras to.

The visitors were far from finished, however, and came straight back with a try through Dai Matthews which Wood converted to keep them within touching distance.

On 68 minutes Bridgwater player-coach Wayne Sprangle made a good break though the middle before passing to Heal, who in turn found the run of Craig Coleman, who crashed over for a try to the left of the posts which was converted.

With five minutes remaining Coleman made another strong run before offloading to George Musgrave to score an unconverted try, making the final score 34-19 to the hosts.

Many congratulations to Albion stalwarts Chris and John Purdy, Sheila Horswell and Sue Hall, who during the course of the season have raised £3,024 through selling raffle tickets on matchdays, all of which has been put into club funds.

Bridgwater & Albion: Matt Ranson, Gavin Knight, Adam Greenslade, Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Dan Kemmish, Karolis Urbonas, George Sluman, Wayne Sprangle, Tom Fournier D’Albe, Stuart Heal (c), Will Monro, Garryn Basson, Lewis Pleece, Kyran Devitt, James Collings. Replacements (all used): Craig Coleman, George Musgrave, Jay Owens.

***

ALBION'S win saw them finish fourth in the South West 1 West table, three points ahead of neighbours North Petherton.

Pethy completed their campaign by scoring 12 tries in a 80-14 rout of bottom side Coney Hill.

Arron Gibbs (2), Damian Griffin (2), Mike Stevens, Aiden Cotton, Mitchell Needham (3), Jack Rees, Nic Sesterat and Jack Coles all crossed the whitewash for the visitors.