Bridgwater & Albion RFC 10-15 Chard RFC

On the coldest night of the year Bridgwater and their visitors Chard who are both near the foot of the table played out a game that ebbed and flowed throughout the result of which was in doubt right up until the final whistle, writes Richard Walsh.

This was not a game for the faint hearted and once again the Bridgwater boys played their hearts out throughout and fought their way back well but in the end it was Chard who ran out the winners.

Chard attacked from the start and after just four minutes of play they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Oscar Anderson slotted home to put his side into the lead.

Bridgwater responded strongly and on quarter of an hour they were awarded a penalty which was kicked into touch close to the left hand corner. From the line out the hosts created considerable pressure which continued for several minutes but every attempt to cross the try line was repelled and eventually the threat was cleared.

Chard responded with an attacking move and looked to have scored a try, but it was disallowed. Another attack after half an hour which came from a kick to touch and a line out resulted in a rolling maul and Joe Mainwaring touching down for a try which Anderson added the extras to making the score 10-0 to the visitors. 

Bridgwater regrouped quickly and soon afterwards attacked down the right touch line, and a rolling maul resulted in Jordan Buller crashing over in the corner for a try which Tom Steer converted making the score 10-7 which is how it remained at the break.

The first 20 minutes of the second half saw both sides creating pressure but on each occasion the defences held firm.

With 15 minutes to go following a good break by the Chard left winger, Dougie Herbert following up  ran in to score in the left hand corner.

Bridgwater bounced straight back into attack but again were unable to turn their pressure into a try.

With the minutes ticking away the hosts were awarded a penalty just to the right of the posts which Steer kicked giving the hosts a losing bonus point, very shortly after which the final whistle went with Chard the winners 15-10.

On Saturday they travel to second placed Crediton who will provide formidable opposition before returning to host Newton Abbot in their last match before Christmas on 17th December.

Bridgwater and Albion- Mike Saunders, Jordan Buller, Cam Modely, Josh Parker, Leigh Parker, Jack Perry, George Sluman (capt), Taylor Buller (vice capt) Roger Drabble, Tom Steer, Danny Mahoney, Jay Owens, Lewis Plece, Tom Croal and James Collings.

Replacements- Karolis Urbonas (used) James Palmer and Will Kerry (not used)