West Counties (North): Bridgwater & Albion RFC 26-0 Old Bristolians

In their last home match of year Bridgwater & Albion produced an impressive all round performance to gain a bonus point victory over a youthful Old Bristolians side and notch up their first league double of the season, writes Richard Walsh.

With Jay Owens injured Kyran Devitt stepped up to number 10, Will Monro came in at full back to make his first appearance of the campaign while Josh Frost returned from injury.

Albion gave an excellent defensive display throughout and made the most of their scoring opportunities to run out the deserving winners.

Old Bristolians started strongly and produced several attacking moves early on but the Albion defence remained strong and cleared the ball well on each occasion.

After a quarter of an hours play the Bridgwater forwards seized on a loose ball and drove strongly to the line before Taylor Buller crashed over for an unconverted try, his eight of the season.

The visitors hit back straight away and spent a spell inside the Albion 22 but the home defence held firm, with Danny Mahoney’s mark on the try line relieving the pressure on one occasion.

On 30 minutes the Albion swept forward in style producing a text book move across the three quarters before good work involving both James Collings and Will Plece put Mahoney free to score a try which Devitt converted.

Once again Old Bristolians came back strongly but were repelled by the home defence.

Just before half time Albion scrummaged their opponents off the ball, following which Collings kicked to touch and from the resultant line out Jake Knight was on hand to score a try which Devitt added the extras to, making it 19-0 at the break.

In the second half the visitors kept on coming forward but solid defensive work by inspirational skipper Taylor Buller, George Sluman who was making his 150th senior appearance and Alex Knight kept them at bay.

At the other end the Albion were searching for their fourth and bonus point try and were eventually rewarded when Collings burst across the line for a try which Devitt converted.

Old Bristolians  continued working hard to try to salvage something from the match while In the dying minutes the hosts missed out on the opportunity to extend their lead, but the score remained 26-0 at the final whistle.

Bridgwater and Albion round off 2023 with an away fixture against Barton Hill on Saturday , who they beat 29-0 at home earlier this season.

The opening league fixture on 2024 is against Old Redcliffians Seconds on Saturday 6th January. 

Bridgwater: Will Monro, Danny Mahoney, Lewis Plece, James Collings, Dan Lang, Kyran Devitt, Jake Knight, Taylor Buller (Captain), George Sluman, Alex Knight, Tom West, Harrison Cornish, Alex Hannah. Jordan Buller and Harry Pentelow.

Replacements all used- Gavin Knight, Tom Hopkins and Josh Frost.