Webb Ellis Somerset Cup: Bridgwater & Albion 19-40 Chew Valley

Bridgwater and Albion are out of the Webb Ellis Somerset Cup after they were beaten by Chew Valley at College Way on Friday evening.

This was a competitive game throughout and the hosts fought until the end against a side who play two leagues higher but at the  whistle it was the visitors, who emerged as the winners.

The opening exchanges were even but on 12 minutes Chew scored their first try following a scrum on their own 22 metre line and some good handling by their backs.

The visitors extended their lead on 28 minutes following another strong run down the wing.  A few minutes later Chew went over for another try that started deep in their own half from the Bridgy side attacking, making the half time score 0-19.

The hosts came out strongly after the break and played some sensible rugby in the conditions and were rewarded 11 mins into the half with a try for scrum half Jon Hill following a good series of pick and go moves by the forwards. The try was converted by Kyran Devitt.

The home side were then on the attack again on the edge of the Chew 22 when they slipped the ball to the winger who ran from his own 22 scoring under the Bridgy posts. 

This was a set back for Bridgy because at that time they were definitely in the ascendancy, however they responded well and were next to cross the whitewash following a driving mail from the forwards with a try for Alex Knight with Devitt’s conversion missing by the narrowest of margins.

Chew’s big forwards then got in on the action with a scything run through the Bridgy defence to score a try under the posts, that was converted.

Bridgy didn’t give up however and came back strongly again with a try for Taylor Buller who was returning from injury. From a wide position next to the clubhouse Devitt slotted the conversion to make the score 19-33.

On the last play of the game Chew broke again up the wing and scored a converted try to make the final score Bridgwater & Albion 19- 40 Chew Valley. 

Whilst the result was what is was the score line did not reflect the closeness of the game or that Chew had to work exceptionally hard for their rewards.

After the game Geoff Sluman the director of rugby said: “This was another improved performance from the Bridgy side. After last weeks performance against Clifton that was probably one of our best performances of the season, we said we wanted to improve again and that is what the lads did against higher league opposition. 

“We also had a good blend of players with some young guys playing and a couple of debuts and they will only learn and get better from the experience.”

Geoff added: “We return to league action next week away to Cleve who are so far unbeaten this season so we will look to improve our performance again.”

B&ARFC- Henry Pentelow, Karolis Urbonas, Stef Pierce, Tom West, Tom Hopkins, Alex Knight, George Sluman, Rowan Traynor, Jon Hill, Jay Owens, Dan Lang, Charlie Willcox, Josh Frost, Trystan Hudson and Kyran Devitt.

Replacements- Graham Slorance, Ben Howden, Leigh Parker, Taylor Buller, James Collings, Alexandre Celton and Taylor Galloway,

Meanwhile Bridgwater and Albion Second XV notched up their  eighth victory of the season when they beat Tor 39-12 at home on Saturday a result that sees them remain in second place.

Castle Cary, who are the only team to beat the Bridgy Boys  remain at the top of Counties 3 Tribute Somerset having won all nine of their games 

This coming Saturday sees the Bridgy Boys take on Wellington Seconds at College Way where the kick off is at 2pm. The visitors currently sit in third place in the table having lost three of their nine games