South West 1W
Bridgwater & Albion 73, Midsomer Norton 24

BRIDGWATER & Albion brought the curtain down on their home campaign in South West One in some style with a resounding victory over Midsomer Norton, writes Richard Walsh.

The season’s finale at College Way made an entertaining spectacle for the large crowd, which included almost 200 who attended the pre-match Friends of Bridgwater & Albion Rugby Club Lunch.

Albion got off to a flying start and, within three minutes of the kick-off, skipper Ollie Dunn crashed over left of the posts for a try that Stuart Heal converted.

Sam Britton was next to get his name on scoresheet when a quickly-taken free-kick found its way to him on the right wing and he raced down the line to score in the corner. 

Almost from the re-start, a good run by Kieran Devitt saw him go over for a try that Heal converted.

Albion continued to rampage their way towards the Midsomer Norton line and, just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark, a good run by Devitt set up Britton who scored on the right-hand side for a try which Heal again converted to make the score 26-0.

It continued to be one-way traffic and, on 20 minutes, Nick Spellissy scored a try just left of the posts which Heal once again converted.

Albion weren’t done yet and, in the space of three minutes, Devitt scored another followed by one for Oscar Tregenna, both of which were converted, to make the score 47-0.

Midsomer Norton kept fighting and, on 35 minutes, captain Matt Denning scored an unconverted try on the left.

From the re-start, however, play went straight to the opposite end where Jordan Buller went over on the left for an unconverted try to bring up the half century for the hosts.

On the stroke of half-time, Britton collected the ball deep in his own half and scored a brilliant solo effort which Heal converted to make it 59-5 at half-time.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half were evenly contested and it was Midsomer Norton who opened the scoring through Matt Edgell.

Albion responded with two tries in as many minutes, the first from Jordan Buller, the second after a dazzling run from inside his own 22 line by Devitt, both of which were converted by Heal, to make the score 73-10.

With 10 minutes remaining, the visitors scored two tries of their own after Bridgwater were reduced to 14 men.

Rob Allen made a welcome return for the Albion in the last few minutes as the hosts saw out a convincing win.

Albion - Matt Ranson, Jordan Buller, Lewis Phillips, Dan Kemmish, Ethan Trebble- Westlake, Nick Spellissy, George Sluman, Ollie Dunn (capt), Tom Fournier, Stuart Heal, Oscar Tregenna, Luke Plummer, James Collings, Sam Britton, Kieran Devitt. Reps (all used) - Rob Allen, Dave Norman and Joe Straddling.