South West 1 (W)

Coney Hill 13, Bridgwater & Albion 38

BRIDGWATER & Albion recorded their fifth straight win as they ran in six tries against a spirited Coney Hill side who were a competitive threat throughout despite their lowly status, writes Richard Walsh.

The hosts took the lead early on when they slotted home a penalty kick, but shortly afterwards Neill Bezuidenhout opened Bridgwater’s account with a try that Stuart Heal converted.

A score from Ethan Trebble-Westlake that was converted by Heal extended the visitors' lead, but just before half-time Coney Hill scored an unconverted try making the score 14-8 to Bridgwater at the interval.

The Gloucester-based side came out strongly after the break and scored an unconverted try to bring them to within a point of Bridgwater.

The hosts' try brought an almost immediate response from the visitors, who put some space between the two sides with a try from Kyran Devitt which Heal converted.

Bridgwater were reduced to 14 men when Blyde was yellow carded but the final quarter of the game belonged to the Albion as first James Collings scored a try which Heal added the extras too and then Devitt scored his second.

The Albion weren’t done yet and, just before the end, Harvey Darby went over for an unconverted try to make the final score 38-13.

This victory sees Bridgwater and Albion remain in fifth, just one point behind fourth-placed St Ives and two adrift of third-placed Newent.

Bridgwater and Albion: 1 Niell Bezuidenhout, 2 Adam Greenslade, 3 Craig Blyde, 4 George Musgrave, 5 Dan Kemmish, 6 Gareth Clwyd-Jones, 7 George Sluman, 8 Ethan Trebble-Westlake; 9 Tom Fournier, 10 Stuart Heal (Captain), 11 Kyran Devitt, 12 Jay Owens, 13 Ryan Barnett,14 Rob Gurnett, 15 James Collings; Replacements: 16 Gavin Knight, 17 Harvey Derby, 18 Will Monro