TRIBUTE SOUTH WEST ONE WEST

Bridgwater & Albion 31, St Austell 14

BRIDGWATER & Albion sealed a third-place finish in South West One West with a bonus-point victory over relegated St Austell on Saturday, writes Tony Pomeroy.

Jordan Brodley, Chris Ashwin, Rob Allen and Ollie Dunn all crossed for Albion, who signed off the season with a comfortable win.

The opening quarter was end to end stuff as both sides threw the ball about with abandon.

After 25 minutes, the visiting fly half, Liam Freeman was yellow carded for a trip - and Ashwin opened the scoring with a 22 metre penalty.

St Austell hit back immediately and, despite being a man short, a good flowing move ended with winger Ben Chenoweth scoring near the posts. Pearce converted to give the visitors an unlikely lead.

A few minutes later, Arg Saliarelis caught a loose kick out by the visitors.

He made progress just into the visitors half before being stopped.

The ball was picked up by prop, Jordan Brodley who scythed through the defence, brushing away many would-be tacklers, for a superb individual try, converted by Ashwin to give Bridgwater a narrow 10-7 interval lead.

Early in the second half Saliarelis started another move from inside his own half. He handed on to Rob Allen who made 40 metres before being stopped almost on the visitor’s line. The ball eventually found the hands of Ashwin who scored a try he converted himself.

Joe Bussell, a half time prop replacement for Albion then showed his speed with a searing 40 metre break.

Then Saliarelis was involved again in a try-scoring move with Stu Heal that ended with Allen crashing over near the posts leaving Ashwin an easy conversion.

After 15 minutes, Bridgwater achieved the four-try bonus point that ensured a third-place position in the league, when birthday boy, skipper Ollie Dunn was on hand to score following a break by Allen.

Ashwin kept up his 100% record by converting.

With the final move of the game, St Austell drove forward and Mark Martin touched down for a consolation try, giving Pearce an easy conversion.

Whilst Bridgwater will be disappointed not to have reached second place in the league and hence a place in the play-offs next week, they were somewhat relieved that third place was not down to the five point deduction they received during the close season. Skipper, Ollie Dunn has led from the front all season with hard tackling and aggressive running with ball in hand and the players have all played their part.

The coaches and management of the team should be well-satisfied with their season.

With the proposed league reorganisation postponed for at least a season - and in all probability shelved - it will need a top two finish next season to regain National League status.