South-West One West

Bridgwater & Albion 31, Chard 27

THIS five-point victory moves Bridgwater into second place in the league behind Weston-super-Mare on points difference, writes Tony Pomeroy.

Chard rallied well at the end of the game to gain not only a losing bonus point but a four-try bonus point also.

Chard kicked off and before Bridgwater could even lay hands upon the ball had driven to the home line for player/coach Simon Jenkins to touch down for the first of his three tries - Ben Chant converted for a 0-7 lead that stunned the home crowd.

Bridgwater hit back immediately and a good move saw full-back James Martin cross in the right corner. Chris Ashwin’s conversion was just wide.

After eight minutes, Bridgwater took a lead they were never to relinquish as skipper, Ollie Dunn burst through for a fine individual try- Ashwin converted with an excellent kick.

Chant then narrowed the gap with a huge long-range penalty from on half-way.

Tom Fournier d’Albe, showing great insight, then took a tap penalty and burst through the Chard defence for a fine individual try.

After 24 minutes, Chard reduced the arrears when Jenkins again drove over the line for an unconverted try.

Bridgwater exerted pressure at the start of the second period and eight minutes after the interval, Bridgwater kicked a penalty to the corner but lost the subsequent lineout.

Chard were awarded a 5m scrummage that Bridgwater drove back strongly and as Chard illegally tried to stop the inevitable try, were awarded their second penalty try of the season, converted by Ashwin.

After 14 minutes, both captains were spoken to by referee Wayne Davis following a fracas.

This, however, seemed to have little effect as minutes later Jenkins was sin-binned and home winger James Brakes joined him on the naughty step.

Bridgwater increased their lead when replacement forward, Ethan Trebble-Westlake scored following a five metre scrum and Ashwin’s conversion made it 31-15.

With the result seemingly determined, Chard would not lie down and following a driving maul, number eight, Rob Burnell scored an unconverted try.

Deep into injury time, Chard achieved two bonus points with Jenkins’ third try to make the final score 31-27.

Next week, sees a trip up the M5 to Clevedon for a third Somerset derby of the season.

Meanwhile, the Somerset Cup draw has given Bridgwater a trip to Keynsham in the first round (October 3).