ALTHOUGH disappointed to come away from Nailsea without a bonus point, United probably performed better than expectations against opponents who have held a position near the top of the league all season.

With both first XV and United decimated by injuries and unavailability, it was a strange looking home side who took to the field and they were soon up against it as Nailsea harnessed wind and slope advantage to telling effect.

Straight from the kick off Albion failed to clear their lines and dithered in their own 22 before the ball was eventually bundled into touch.

From the line out Nailsea's slick backs worked the ball to the left wing, who left the Bridgwater defence for dead, before a last ditch tackle from Jerry Darley halted him just feet short.

Albion gave away a penalty during the ensuing breakdown and the Nailsea number eight plunged over before the visitors could react.

The conversion was good and Bridgwater found themselves under the cosh for the next ten minutes as the home side threatened to overrun the Bridgwater defence.

Several times the referee came to Bridgwater's aid as he cracked down hard on Nailsea indiscretions at the breakdown, much to the displeasure of the vociferous home support.

Although the Bridgwater three quarter line had been badly affected by the changes, the pack still contained many players who have performed to such good effect over the season and it was through this route that Albion started to gain a foothold in the game.

Albion picked and drove through their forwards and eventually established a position in the Nailsea 22.

Following yet another Nailsea infringement at the breakdown, Albion kicked for the corner and, from the ensuing lineout, it was Dave Norman who again got on the back of the maul to crash over for the opening score for Bridgwater.

The many changes to the side left Albion without a recognised goal kicker so prop Dale Walker volunteered for the duties and was narrowly wide with the conversion attempt.

It was always going to be tough against opponents who had inflicted Bridgwater's sole home defeat on them this season and Nailsea came roaring back with another runaway try that went unconverted.

Albion stuck to their task, however, and confidence grew as they found that Nailsea were unable to cope with the driving game that they were employing.

From a similar position to the first score, Albion again worked their close in line out routine and this time Matt Hastie clung on to the ball to bring up another score for Bridgwater.

With time running out in the first half the 12-10 score line would have been a huge boost for Albion's second half ambitions but just before halftime they shipped another score from a close in penalty and then another unconverted try just before the whistle, which eased Nailsea further ahead.

After the break Bridgwater battled away but lacked the firepower and the range of weapons to trouble Nailsea too much.

It was the home side who opened the scoring in the first half with a breakaway try after Bridgwater had spilled a pass on the Nailsea 22.

The conversion was missed but the home side now had a comfortable cushion to close out the game. Joe Sluman raised Bridgwater hopes with a try under the post which Wallker converted to bring the visitors into bonus point range but a final try for Nailsea sealed the victory that left Bridgwater pointless after a sterling performance that deserved better.

Bridgwater and Albion United: T Denovan, M Rogers, R Willis D Lang J Kerry, J Coates D Gooding, D Walker, M Hastie, N Ball, D Page-Symonds, D Norman, J Sluman, J Darley, R Thompson (rep G Sluman)