Albion were dealt a harsh lesson losing for the first time this season to Bournemouth who executed their game plan of spoiling rugby to near perfection, writes Andy Tudhope.

Bournemouth had much the better of the opening exchanges gaining territory and displaying good control of the ball in the ruck and maul but never really threatening Albion.

Inevitably Bournemouth were awarded a penalty which was quickly taken, the ball being slipped to Sam Yarwood who eluded the Albion defence to go over for the first try of the match. Simon McFarlane duly converted to make the score 0-7 after 13 minutes.

Twice Bournemouth almost went further ahead which woke Albion up and after a series of rucks and a telling break from Burnell he released the ball to Hancock on halfway. He jinked his way past three defenders before putting a deft chip over the head of the fullback.

But the ball bounced unkindly back over Hancock’s head and in the hands of the grateful fullback, but this spurred Albion on.

From the drop out Albion secured the ball and a Bournemouth infringement gave Albion a penalty but the kick went tamely wide.

Albion continued to press but their good efforts were let down by the odd irritating mistake, but mainly from the continuous spoiling tactics employed by the visitors.

Albion finally got their reward in the 39th minute. Securing the ball from broken play, Osborne scythed through the Bournemouth defence before popping the ball to Hancock who breezed to the line for an excellent score. Williams converted to level the score, 7-7. Almost from the re-start Albion gave away a silly penalty before a loose pass was intercepted at the restart by James Flynn who outsprinted the trailing defence to score an unconverted try, giving Bournemouth a half-time lead of 7-15.

Albion started the second half brightly and were awarded a penalty in the 42nd minute which Williams effortlessly slotted over from the halfway line and they kept up the pressure but the breakthrough would not come.

Bournemouth, using guile, managed to win penalties gaining them territory, and two scoring opportunities executed by McFarlane in the 55th and 57th minutes, making the score 10-21.

Albion stuck to their task and after a high tackle on Topps, Williams found touch on the Bournemouth 5m. Kemmish took the lineout ball cleanly and popped it to man of the match Rob Burnell who pirouetted through the Bournemouth pack to go over for a deserved try. Williams unluckily put his conversion over the top of the post to leave the score at 15-21 with 20 minutes remaining.

Albion kept up the attack and Topps was just denied when held up on the line but the ball was re-cycled and Carl Brown squeezed through in the corner. Williams narrowly missed with the conversion, making it 20-21 after 68 minutes.

Albion kept probing for that final elusive score with Bournemouth doing whatever they could to run the clock down. Apart from a couple of Albion half chances, the Bournemouth pack controlled possession to see them run out 20-21 winners in front of a subdued but supportive crowd who thoroughly appreciated Albion’s efforts and the style of rugby they display.

Bridgwater & Albion: Steve Hunt (Capt), Carl Brown, Rob Burnell, Dan Kemmish, Alistair Blundell, James Bryant, Matt Hastie, Dominik Griffin, George Williams, Keiron Mchardy, Sam Osborne, Damian Griffin, Gavin Hancock, Will Topps.

Reps: Nick Brooker (62), Jack Kohler (56), Matt Northey (70).