South West 1 West
Launceston 17, Bridgwater & Albion 35

BRIDGWATER & Albion produced one of their best all-round performances of the season when they travelled to second-placed Launceston, scoring four tries and recording their seventh successive victory, writes Richard Walsh.

Launceston looked strong from the off but it was the Albion who put the first points on the board when, following good work by Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Rob Gurnett went over for a try that the returning Stuart Heal duly converted.

The hosts responded strongly and on 10 minutes they got themselves on the scoreboard when Glenn Coles slotted home a penalty.

Launceston enjoyed a good period of pressure and when they opted for a scrum after being awarded a penalty close to the try-line, the referee spotted an infringement and awarded the hosts a penalty try, giving them the lead for the first time in the match, 10-7.

Within five minutes Bridgwater were back ahead thanks to a good pass from James Collings that put Kyran Devitt away, Devitt passing to Richard Bright on the wing for an unconverted try.

Gurnett and Collings continued to cause problems for the home defence and Albion were unlucky not to score another try, as Bright – playing against his former club – was held up just short of the line.

Soon after, though, the visitors were awarded a penalty that Heal kicked, and just before the break the Albion skipper donned his kicking boots again to slot another penalty, making it 18-10 at half time.

That advantage was extended on 52 minutes, when a long kick into Launceston territory was picked up by Tom Fournier, who passed to Heal for a try that he himself converted.

Launceston were far from done, however, and three minutes later they reduced the arrears when Reuben Edwards scored a try which Coles converted to make the score 25-17.

Albion hit back well, and when Dan Kemmish was upended the penalty was kicked by Heal.

With 12 minutes left to play, Bridgwater had Craig Blyde yellow carded but during his absence – try as they may – the hosts were unable to score.

In the dying minutes, good work by the backs resulted in Devitt scampering over the line to score Albion’s fourth try of the game, which Heal converted to make the final score 35-17.

Bridgwater & Albion: Richard Bright, Will Monro, Rob Gurnett, James Collings, Kyran Devitt, Stuart Heal (c), Tom Fournier, Ethan Trebble Westlake, George Sluman, Gareth Clwyd-Jones, Dan Kemmish, George Musgrave, Craig Blyde, Adam Greenslade, Matt Ranson.
Replacements: Gavin Knight, Karolis Urbonas, Matt House.

This was a great performance against title contenders Launceston, who are now just five points ahead of third-placed Albion.

This coming Saturday, Bridgwater are in action at College Way, where they entertain 10th-placed Lydney (ko 3pm).