South West One (West)

Hornets 60, Bridgwater & Albion 22

A salvo of four tries by Hornets midway through the first half was the determining factor in this game that saw the hosts running out the comfortable winners, writes Richard Walsh.

A strong cross wind created difficult handling conditions for both sides but, on nine minutes, an attacking move by the visitors broke down and resulted in a try for Ozzy James.

Immediately, however, Bridgwater skipper Stuart Heal slotted home a penalty to make it 5-3.

The visitors took the lead in the 21st minute when livewire winger Will Monro intercepted a pass and made good ground before being tackled, but he managed to get Simon Honey away to score a try which Heal added the extras to.

Hornets came back strongly and a good run from deep in his own half by Carter resulted in stand-off Bailey scoring a try which Carter then converted to put the hosts back in front.

Four minutes later Bailey went over for another try which Carter converted.

Hornets were very much in the ascendancy by this stage and in the space of the next 10 minutes they scored a further two tries, firstly when number eight Parker crashed over, which Carter converted, and then Carter himself scored an unconverted try, which made it 33-10 at half time.

Bridgwater came out strongly after the break and, after five minutes, dangerman Monro burst through the home defence.

A series of penalties were conceded by Hornets, as a result of which the visitors were awarded a penalty try.

Hornets responded well and former Albion player Alec Chase went over for an unconverted try on 50 minutes.

Bridgwater bounced back well and kept looking to attack at every opportunity, a ploy which was rewarded when Monro broke through and went over for a try in the corner to make the score 38-22.

Hornets came straight back and added to their tally when Parker scored an unconverted try.

Although they were trailing 43-22, the visitors kept didn't give in and Oskar White and Monro counter attacked well before the ball was collected by Inoke in his own half, who ran some 40 metres before going over for an unconverted try.

In the last 10 minutes Hornets were very much in charge and scored a further two tries, the first from Gadd which Carter converted before Weller finished off the scoring with a try near the end of the game.

Bridgwater and Albion: Oskar White, Will Monro, Simon Honey, Jay Owens, Ryan Barnett, Stuart Heal (capt), Tom Fournier D’Albe, Wayne Sprangle, George Sluman, Kurt Polley, Dan Kemmish, Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Lewis Phillips, Gavin Knight and Matt Ranson; Replacements (all used): Graham Slorrance, George Musgrave and Brian Webb.