By Tony Pomeroy

Bridgwater were always going to find a visit to table-topping Hartpury College a very difficult task. Going there with a team decimated by injuries and non-availability is a recipe for disaster.

Bridgwater were forced to use English College’s hooker Olly Dunn on the left wing and star flanker Rob Burnell in the centre. Gavin Hancock moved from wing to fly half and George Williams moved in to scrum half. With James Brakes on the wing and Josh Sturdy on the bench with club coach Nick Hill, the team bore a very unfamiliar look.

Despite the score line, Bridgwater’s players stuck to their task manfully, giving their all in an effort to keep the score respectable. They could not be faulted for their spirit. Hartpury proved much faster, fitter and more skilful, thoroughly deserving their win but I must question whether other teams start from a level playing field when playing Hartpury. The College team is a mixture of students and staff, they train every day and for this game could do without Welsh international Nathan Thomas but had former British Lion Darren Morris, now a tutor and assistant coach at the College, on the bench.

The vast majority of the game was played in the Bridgwater half of the field and, despite the score line, Bridgwater generally tackled like demons.

Bridgwater actually had a chance to open the scoring. Will Topps broke out of defence, handed on to Rob Burnell, who then released Gavin Hancock on halfway. The visiting supporters felt his pace should have been enough to get him to the line but with him having to avoid would-be tacklers, he was eventually caught just short of the line. This could have been the first score of the match and who knows what could have then happened.

What actually happened was Hartpury, who for much of the time appeared to have more than fifteen players on the field, such was their fluidity, got their act together.

The first try came after 19 minutes, shortly after a break by home scrum half Bradley Field, formerly of Taunton, Bridgwater and Wellington.

Home number eight Graeme Lawler, later named man of the match, touched down the first of his five tries. Before half time they had achieved the four-try bonus point with a second try for Lawler and one each for Harry Collins and Chris Hawkins. Fly half Tim Stevenson converted two and kicked a late penalty to make the half time score 27-0.

Hartpury, through flanker Rob Langley, added a fifth within seconds of the re-start as Bridgwater failed to secure the kick-off. This was quickly followed by Lawler’s third as Bridgwater again lost possession.

Langley was then sent to the bin for cynically holding back a Bridgwater player off the ball but it had little effect on the home side, who went further ahead when Lawler burst through several attempted tackles for his fourth try.

The biggest cheer of the day came for a Bridgwater score. Will Topps, who, with George Williams, was adjudged Bridgwater’s joint man of the match, took a quick penalty and made 50-metres up the touch line. Although the ball was initially lost, Bridgwater managed to regain it and it was worked out to Topps who crossed for a consolation try converted by Williams.

However, Hartpury continued with three further tries from Lawler again, replacement scrum half Sean Lynn and centre Jean Botha. Following the award of a penalty to Bridgwater, a fracas broke out and the volatile Bradley Field was sent to the sin bin.

However, almost immediately, Hartpury got their 11th try from second row Kobus Du Rand and the referee took pity on Bridgwater and blew for time some two minutes early. Stevenson kicked two more conversions and, when he was replaced, kicking duties were undertaken by Graham Speirs and he landed two of his attempts.

Speaking after the game, Bridgwater’s coaches and players always knew that they would have a difficult afternoon against a very competent side. Bridgwater should take heart from their brave rearguard action and use it as a platform to build on for the visit of Barnstaple next week in a match postponed from December 18. Bridgwater won by a point at Barnstaple in September and will hope to complete the double over their North Devon opponents. Hopefully, they will be back to full strength for that game and that comment is no reflection of the efforts put in by their replacements.

Scorers

Hartpury College

Tries: Lawler (5), Collins, Hawkins, Langley, Lynn, Botha, Du Rand

Cons: Stevenson (4), Speirs (2).

Pen: Stevenson

Bridgwater & Albion try: Topps

Con: Williams

Bridgwater and Albion: Will Topps, James Brakes, James Austwick,(Josh Sturdy 67), Rob Burnell, Olly Dunn, Gavin Hancock, George Williams, Phil Triggol , Gavin Knight, Nick Brooks, Ali Blundell, Matt Northey, Haydn Johnson, Dan Kemmish (cpt), Andy Tew