NEWTON Abbot deservedly completed the double over Albion, twice coming from behind to take all the points, writes Tony Pomeroy.

While Bridgwater controlled the lineout, where Dan Kemmish again ruled supreme, Newton Abbot had the livelier backs.

Albion took the lead against the run of play when Rob Allen burst through the defence - converted by George Williams.

Bridgwater then ruled the game for ten minutes and Sam Osborne got the second try, this time unconverted. Bridgwater began a period of rather aimless kicking and this combined with poor passing and handling let the visitors into the game.

Firstly, centre Alex Moore went over for a try converted by Mike Saxton and minutes later a Birkett try again converted by Saxton gave Newton Abbot the lead. Saxton increased the lead to 12-17 just before half time with a penalty.

The start of the second period was shambolic for both sides as errors abounded and play became very disjointed. Visiting skipper Cole was continually haranguing the referee and many referees would have put him in his place.

Williams missed a straightforward penalty attempt before Birkett increased the visitors’ lead with a well-taken dropped goal.

Almost immediately, a poor kick out of defence by the visitors was fumbled backwards by Gavin Hancock. Matt Hastie gathered the loose ball and gave it back to Hancock who embarked on a coruscating run from 50m that ended with the winger getting a try at the posts. Williams converted to bring the home side within one point.

An Osborne dropped goal took Bridgwater back into the lead. A great Bridgwater move which saw Williams cross the line was brought back for the tightest of forward passes and then Newton Abbot, who had taken a questionable quick lineout, were adjudged to have scored a try by an unsighted referee when the ball had clearly been lost forward.

Dan Force, who ran very well from full-back converted as he did again only moments later when centre Nic Holt scored the try that gave Newton Abbot a bonus point and took one away from Bridgwater.

At times Albion looked very good and at other times they seemed totally unable to hold on to the ball or make a tackle and greatly contributed to their own demise.

Bridgwater, with no match this week, have two games left – an away trip to Old Patesians and a final home game against Oxford Harlequins on April 16.

No matter what the results, Bridgwater are destined to finish the season in mid-table, a scenario that would have been accepted had it been on offer at the start of the season.

Bridgwater: George Williams, Richard Willis, Rob Allen, Matt House, Gavin Hancock, Sam Osborne, Dominik Griffin, James Bryant, Matt Hastie (rep Gavin Knight 73), Nick Brooks, Ali Blundell, Dan Kemmish (capt), Carl Brown (rep Dave Norman 78), Rob Burnell (rep Matt Northey 16-18 and 74), Andy Tew.