Bridgwater had earmarked this game as a ‘five pointer’ against a side who had lost every other league match this season, writes Tony Pomeroy.

On the face of it, it was reasonable to hope for an easy win, but Cleve had not read the script – and neither it seemed had Bridgwater in the first half. Bridgwater dominated much of the possession and kept much of the ball at close quarters, preferring the pick and drive tactic so beloved of modern day players.

On the few occasions the ball was released to the backs, poor handling or good defence meant little open rugby was played. However, all the possession and territorial advantage count for nothing unless turned into points. After only two minutes, a Cleve passing movement was going nowhere on half way when a poor pass was intercepted by Sam Osborne and the home fly half streaked away for a try under the posts that he converted himself.

Osborne then failed with a 38m penalty downwind. A quickly taken free kick by George Williams gave Bridgwater good position but Osborne elected to try and drop a goal – and failed.

Will Topps and Williams also combined well but with Bridgwater trying to force things to happen, it came to naught.

It took over 25 minutes for Cleve to mount any sort of attack and when they did, they actually crossed the home line but they could not ground the ball. They had to be content with a penalty from former Bath fly half Gareth Knox.

The remainder of the half was stalemate to leave the interval score 7-3. Despite playing into the wind, Bridgwater also dominated the second period. They were denied a try in the third minute when the referee deemed the ball not grounded but following innumerable phases of play close to the tackle area, Topps picked up the ball and sprinted over for the second try from 10m. Osborne could not convert against the wind.

Bridgwater were similarly denied in the 13th minute and Cleve eventually stole turn-over ball deep in their 22 to launch a run to halfway and exert a little pressure.

Dan Kemmish was sent to the sin-bin, and within seconds, Cleve skipper Sam Roach crossed for an unconverted try following forward pressure.

Bridgwater held out comfortably and numbers were equalised when Cleve hooker Matt Parfitt was also sent to the bin.

Back to full strength, Bridgwater got close to scoring with the ball twice held up over the line but it was not to be and the referee’s final whistle came as a relief to players and the spectators who had not left early.

For Bridgwater, this was not a good day. It is probably more difficult to play against a side at the bottom of the league as they are scrapping for their very existence and Cleve are almost certainly doomed to relegation.

Bridgwater have a break next week before playing Coney Hill on February 19.

Bridgwater Team: Will Topps, George Williams, Rob Allen, Garron Basson, James Austwick, Sam Osborne, Dominik Griffin, Phil Triggoll, Gavin Knight, James Bryant, Ali Blundell, Steve Hunt, Dan Kemmish, Rob Burnell (rep Haydn Johnson 57), Andy Tew.

Reps not used: Alan Trunks, Richard Willis