Western Counties (North): Longlevens 31-7 Bridgwater & Albion RFC

Bridgwater and Albion  travelled up the M5 to Gloucester to face Longlevens, who were unbeaten for five seasons, but far from being outplayed they put in a good performance.

Fielding a squad that contained two debutants and others playing out of position the Bridgy Boys  can hold their heads high for the way that they played against the champions elect.

Longlevens took the lead in the second minute when Philips charged in for a try which Wilkins converted.

Bridgwater bounced back strongly and put pressure on the Longlevens defence which held firm. 

Ten minutes later the hosts mounted another attack and swept back up the field before a long pass to winger Barton saw him go over the line for a try which Wilkins duly converted.

Longlevens continued to create pressure on the visitors defence but the visitor’s back line held firm until in the 26th minute right winger Fox scored a try that was unconverted.

Ten minutes later Wilkins ran through and chipped ahead, the ball bounced well and found winger Fox who scored his second try, this time unconverted.

In the dying minutes of the first half the visitors came back strongly and a move involving Lewis Plece and Alex Knight went deep into Longlevens territory before being cleared soon after which the whistle went for half time with the score 24-0.

Bridgwater started strongly after the break and after 42 minutes their efforts were duly rewarded when Jake Knight and Plece combined well before the latter went over for a try which Josh Frost converted.

The visitors lost the services of skipper Taylor Buller who was yellow carded, but during his absence despite Longlevens mounting several attacks on each occasion they were repelled.

When the Albion were restored to a full team they mounted several attacks in which Plece ad Frost were prominent, but sadly were unable to cross the line.

In the dying minutes Longlevens mounted their final attack which resulted in Butler scoring a try which the trusty boot of Wilkins converted making the final score 31-7.

On Saturday the Albion are at home to Midsomer Norton kick off 2.30pm.

B&ARFC- Roger Drabble, Will Roe ,Lewis Plece, Alex Knight, Dan Lang, Josh Frost, Jake Knight, Taylor Buller (captain), Alex Hannah   Finlay  White,  Harrison Cornish, Tom Hopkins, Josh Parker, Gavin Knight and Harry Pentelow.

Replacements all used-  James Howden,  Rowan James and Blake Moulding.