IN an entertaining match, Bridgwater bounced back from last week’s heavy defeat and in the process gained revenge for defeat at Exmouth earlier in the season, writes Tony Pomeroy.

The four-try bonus point was the icing on the cake for the home side.

Exmouth edged the opening period spending most of the time in and around the home 22 as Bridgwater’s firm defence was tested to the full.

After 17 minutes, Bridgwater took the lead somewhat against the run of play.

Exmouth lost the ball in the Bridgwater half and George Williams gathered for Bridgwater.

He put his head back, raced towards the Exmouth line and just made the line for the opening score. His conversion attempt hit the near post but did not go over.

Bridgwater could not increase their lead but tried hard with good work from Gavin Hancock and Will Topps.

However, when Bridgwater could not control their own ball at a scrummage 30m from their own line, visiting scrumhalf Garry Hooper picked up the loose ball and burst through the home defence for a try under the posts. Rich Cadywould’s converted.

From the restart, Exmouth kicked poorly out of defence and Ali Blundell made a good catch and released Will Topps.

His chip and chase gave the visitors problems and Rob Burnell scored a try to regain the lead. Williams converted to make the half-time score 12-7 to Bridgwater.

At the start of the second period, Burnell and Hancock combined well to put Topps over in the corner for an unconverted try and extend Bridgwater’s lead.

Minutes later Sam Osborne increased the home lead with a well-taken dropped goal from 35m.

Bridgwater were now playing excellent rugby and pushed for the bonus point try, but Exmouth had other ideas and on a rare visit to the home 22, were awarded a penalty.

Bridgwater continued to pressure the visiting defence and eventually a break by Burnell led to the ball reaching Williams who scored his second –unconverted – try gaining Bridgwater a bonus point.

A Bridgwater handling error gave Exmouth a chance of a losing bonus point as another Hooper break took the Cockles into the Bridgwater 22.

They set up another driving maul and this time former Bridgwater player, Dave Kimberley claimed the try. Cadywould converted.

Bridgwater had the last word and a second Osborne dropped goal from 40m sealed the win.

Bridgwater team: Will Topps, Rich Willis, Matt House, George Williams, Gavin Hancock, Sam Osborne, Dominik Griffin, James Bryant (rep Phil Triggol 67), Gavin Knight (rep Ollie Dunn 33-40 (blood) and 52), Nick Brooks, Ali Blundell, Dan Kemmish (capt), Carl Brown (rep Haydn Johnson 72), Rob Burnell, Andy Tew.