Bridgwater & Albion get first points of the season

Bridgwater and Albion chalked up their first points of the season on Friday night when they beat fellow strugglers Sherborne in front of a good sized and appreciative crowd.

This was the hosts best performance to date and despite Sherborne proving to be tough opponents Bridgwater and Albion were competitive throughout and were still looking to extend their lead right up until the final whistle.

The first victory of the season has been a long time coming but at the end of the match there were some very happy faces as Bridgwater and Albion left the field to loud applause.

The visitors kicked off but it was Bridgwater who were into the attack first, but their early forays into Sherborne territory came to nothing.

Sherborne countered well and were soon deep into home territory, but each time they came forward the Bridgwater defence held firm and they were beaten back.

After 12 minutes Bridgwater were awarded a penalty for off side which Tom Steer, who once again had a good all round game kicked into touch. From the line out the ball found its way to Chris Tong who ran in to touch down behind the posts for a try which Steer duly converted.

The home side kept up the pressure and on 24 minutes they extended their lead when Steer slotted home a penalty making the score 10-0.

Sherborne came back strongly but on each occasion the home defence won the day and the lines were cleared. As the minutes ticked towards the interval the visitors looked to break their duck but every time Bridgwater held on and the half time whistle went with no further addition to the score.

Within three minutes of the resumption Steer had kicked his second penalty of the game to extend the Bridgwater lead to 13-0.

The first part of the second half was even with both teams creating attacking moves which the opposition defence dealt with.

As the game went on however Bridgwater started to get into the ascendancy and again it was Steer was who to the fore. The former Exmouth player kicked to touch close to the right hand corner. Sherborne dealt with the immediate threat but Bridgwater worked the ball down the line well until it found its way to Jack Perry who crashed over for a try, which Steer converted.

The end of the game may have been close but the Bridgwater team were enjoying the sweet taste of success and pressed hard to add to their tally.

All too soon the late replacement referee Dan Evans who handled the game well, blew for full time with the final score Bridgwater and Albion 20- Sherborne- 0

This coming Saturday fellow strugglers Teignmouth, who last week beat Wadebridge Camels are the visitors to College Way where the match kicks off at 3pm ahead of which there is a Reunion Buffet Lunch with former player Stu Woodhouse.

Bridgwater and Albion- Michael Saunders, Jordan Buller, Graham Slorance, Taylor Buller, Tom Hokins, Karolis Urbonas, George Sluman (captain), Jack Perry, Roger Drabble, Tom Steer, Antoine Le Ster, Chris Tong, Lewis Plece, Danny Mahoney and Will Kerry.

Replacements- (all used) Matt Bishop, Rowan James and Ollie Phillips.