BRIDGWATER and Albion head coach Nick Hill has warned his young side they must stay switched on for the whole 80 minutes after nearly throwing away victory at home to Chinnor on Saturday (see related story for the match report).

Albion led 28-14 but after scoring one converted try, Chinnor squandered a golden opportunity to snatch a draw when they spilled the ball in the dying moments with the try-line beckoning.

While Hill said he was delighted with his side’s attacking play, he labelled Albion’s defending as “very poor”.

He said: “The scoreline flattered them. We were in control at 28-14 and thought the game was won and mentally switched off.

“Fair play to Chinnor for coming back but we were very nearly the architects of our downfall.

“If they had scored that try and drawn the game, it would have been a real kick in the backside but maybe the players need that kick.

“When you’re 14 points ahead with ten minutes to go, you can’t start spinning the ball out wide.

“Defensively we were very poor and there was no communication whatsoever.”

On the positive side, Hill was delighted with the performance of his back line, who produced some superb tries.

He said: “In the first half, we created some really good ball for our backs. I was really pleased to see the work we’ve been putting in in training being reproduced out on the pitch.

“This is a young, inexperienced side which is only going to get better.

“At the moment we are only playing at 50/60% of our potential. When we get it right we are going to give somebody a real beating.”

Hill warned his players not to take their next opponents, bottom side Cleve, for granted.

He said: “They’ll be desperate for a win and they’ll be facing Steve Hunt, their ex-captain, so that should spice things up.”

Albion have no major injury worries but will be without Kiwi centre Kieran McHardy, who has moved to Holland to live with his girlfriend.