BRIDGWATER and Albion can count themselves unlucky not to have won their match against Chard that was played under floodlights on Friday evening in front of a good sized crowd which included many travelling supporters.

The Albion side that included two players making their debuts - Stefan Pierce and Ollie Howley - withstood early pressure from Chard.

However, on 15 minutes a good break by Josh Frost created an opening for Taylor Buller who ran in to score from 20 metres which Kyran Devitt converted.

The next period of play was even but on half an hour Howley led a good attack which resulted in Dan Lang being held up on the line and a penalty awarded which Devitt slotted home to make it 10-0 to the visitors.

Chard responded strongly and on 37 minutes prop Charlie Tribble crashed over for a try that Niall Couch converted. Just before half time, the hosts took the lead when centre Ben Fenton scored a try which Couch added the extras to making the score 14-10 at the break. 

The visitors came out strongly after the interval and on 45 minutes Devitt kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears to one point. 

Bridgwater maintained the pressure and five minutes later a good break involving the Knight brother Alex and Jake resulted in Taylor Buller scoring his second try of the match that Devitt converted.

The hosts came back strongly again and from a five metre line out hooker Joe Mainwaring scored a try which Couch converted from a wide angle to put Chard back in the lead 21-20.

In the 71st minute a good break by Taylor Buller saw Albion awarded a penalty which was quickly taken and resulted in Rowan Traynor crashing over for an unconverted try, which put the visitors back in the lead.

The last few minutes saw Chard trying their hardest to snatch a winning try.

The Albion defence conceded several penalties but repelled the onslaught until in the dying minutes of the game Number 8 Dean Richards crashed over for the winning score as the game ended 26-25.

This coming weekend Bridgwater and Albion host Old Redcliffians Seconds at College Way on Saturday kick off at 3pm.