Western Counties (North): Bridgwater & Albion 27-46 Longlevens

Bridgwater & Albion gave a good account of themselves against high flying Longlevens at College Way on Saturday and although they lost, earned a well deserved bonus point thanks to a last minute try, writes Richard Walsh.

Longlevens got off to a flying start and took the lead after four minutes when Wilkins kicked a penalty in front of the posts.

The Gloucester based side extended their lead on 10 minutes when Jenkins went over for a try that Wilkins added the extras to.

Bridgwater responded well and enjoyed their best period of the early exchanges when they kicked to touch and won the ball from the line out, only to be penalised and lose their advantage when in a strong position.

The visitors were a forceful team and countered quickly through their strong forwards  and fleet footed backs and within minutes Edwards scored a try that Wilkins converted to make the score 17-0 after 20 minutes.

The home side may have been trailing, but kept coming back and working their way deep into Longlevens territory, but were unable to find a way through.

On the hour Bridgwater were reduced to 14 when James Collings was yellow carded, but despite this disadvantage they looked to attack at every opportunity.

A strong run through the middle by Graham Slorance resulted in the hosts best chance, yet despite creating a period of pressure the Longlevens back line held firm and in the end the hosts settled for a penalty which Kyran Devitt kicked to open their account.

Bridgwater came straight back on the attack and were rewarded when Taylor Buller crashed over left of the posts for a try which Devitt converted.

The joy was short lived however when Longlevens responded with a try by Collier left of the posts which Wilkins converted making the score 10-24 at the break.

Bridgwater started the second half at pace and within minutes a strong move down the left hand side saw Jay Owens make a long cross field kick to the right hand corner where Danny Mahoney took advantage of the favourable bounce to score a try.

With the score 15-24 the hosts looked to be gathering some momentum, but the visitors soon put themselves back into the game with a try in the left hand corner by Stratford.

Longlevens went further ahead when a run through the middle by Fox, led to Griffiths scoring in the right corner, making the score 15-34.

Bridgwater responded well and were quickly deep into Longlevens territory a move that resulted in Owens scoring an unconverted try in the right hand corner.

The visitors then scored twice in five minutes the first by Stratford that was converted by Wilkins and the second by Griffiths to make the score 20-46.

With the clock ticking down Bridgwater pressed hard for a bonus point try and were rewarded when following a forceful break from deep in his own half by Collings, Jordan Buller went over for a try to the left of the posts which Devitt converted.

The Bridgy Boys can hold their head high and afterwards the Longlevens coach praised their efforts by saying that apart from Nailsea and Backwell this was the only other time that the visitors felt that they had been really challenged in a game.

Bridgwater and Albion are at home again this coming Saturday when they host Clifton Seconds at College Way where the game will start at 2.30pm.