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B&A RFC 23 - 25 Canterbury |
B&A RFC 23 - 25 Canterbury
Match report by Tony Pomeroy
A Bridgwater team shorn of all of it’s relatively highly paid mercenaries almost caused the shock of the day as they gave high-flying Canterbury a very stern examination. Bridgwater, still rooted to the bottom of the league, had to be content with their first losing bonus point of the season. Canterbury remain in sixth place in the league with 45 points, and very close to the two teams immediately above them.
The home crowd gave the gallant losers, who had a number of players appearing out of position, a rousing ovation after the game.
Whilst they are perhaps a little naïve in trying to play attacking rugby from too deep, the commitment of the players could not be faulted and it took all of Canterbury’s experience to prevent the league’s bottom side registering a deserved win.
Whilst some scrums were disrupted, Bridgwater kept all their own ball and edged the lines-out, stealing at least three of Canterbury’s throws. They also conceded very few turn-overs in the loose. To a man, from the more experienced players in the front row to the youngsters out in the backs, they can all be proud of the way they performed in this match. Forwards and backs alike handled the ball with aplomb and it is a credit to Nick Hill and his coaching team that the players are being given rein to express themselves in playing open, fluid rugby.
The match officials afterwards praised Bridgwater’s young No 8, Greg Charlton, who, not for the first time this season, was man of the match. It was a pleasure to see a calm, unruffled referee in Mark Vernon, who, whilst keeping a firm hand on proceedings, allowed the players to exhibit their skills and give the spectators a match to remember. Canterbury must also take credit as they also played some sparkling rugby and outscored the home side by three tries to two.
Fly halves, Phil Gibson for the visitors and Stuart Evans for the home side exchanged penalties in the opening 10 minutes. Mid-way through the half, Gert De Kock crossed the home line only to be brought back for a forward pass. It mattered not as Bridgwater kicked away the ball and Canterbury put together an excellent move that ended with Pat Sykes scoring. Gibson’s conversion made it 3-10.
Shortly after, Matt Hastie stole the ball in mid-field, made ground and kicked to the corner. He was knocked over late and Evans landed the resulting penalty.
Canterbury increased their lead with an unconverted try from Ed Roche before a text-book playing of advantage from Mark Vernon saw home prop, James Bryant, running like a threequarter before handing on to Jake Childs, a flanker playing out of position in the centre, who scored. Evans’ conversion was not easy, but accurate. At 13-15 it was anybody’s game.
Bridgwater attacked at the start of the second period. Charlton stole a Canterbury defensive line-out and Carl Brown crashed over near the posts giving Evans an easy conversion.
Bridgwater lost scrum half, Kevin Williams, with a hamstring injury. Dominik Griffen moved up to scrum half, Will Webster, who joined the club as a flanker, dropped back to full-back and Steve Ward joined the game to play on the wing.
A second Gibson penalty narrowed the gap to 20-18 before another excellent move saw Canterbury flanker Georgious Bertolis score and Gibson convert. The final score was another Evans penalty for Bridgwater but the home side could not get the final score to win the game.
If they were not encouraged by the result, the Bridgwater players should take heart from the way they played the game. If they can stay together then they will surely be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
They will certainly give Clifton something to think about next week in a game that kicks off at 2-30. You can get to that game and still get home in time to watch the International.
Scorers
Bridgwater & Albion Tries:- Childs (29), Brown (45)
Cons:- Evans (29, 45)
Pens:- Evans (10, 21, 71))
Canterbury Tries:- Sykes (19), Roche (24), Bertolis (67)
Cons:- Gibson (19, 67)
Pens:- Gibson (2, 59)
Bridgwater Team:
Dominik Griffin, Sam Showering, Jake Childs, James Stark, Will Webster, Stuart Evans, Kevin Williams ( rep Steve Ward 58), Wayne Stiling, Matt Hastie, James Bryant, Ali Blundell, Steve Hunt (Capt), Dan Kemmish, Carl Brown, Greg Charlton.
Reps not used : Chey Bryce, Alan Trunks, Matt Northey, Andrew Jeanes
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 February 2010 08:52 |
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