Bridgwater and Albion

Dirt trackers 34 - 13 Taunton Wanderers

Match Report by Mike Berry

Dirt trackers bounce back in style

Albion’s Dirt-Trackers who slipped up in their last match at Wellington bounced back in some style against their local rivals Taunton at College Way on Saturday.  The dog eat dog syndrome of league rugby football has been emphasised in the last few weeks with Albion’s defeat last time out against a side whom Taunton had beaten just a few weeks earlier.  However the visitors had succumbed to Wells in their previous match.  This just goes to show that teams should concentrate on producing their own goods and not worry too much about the opposition whilst respecting that most opponents have some skills and certainly individuals who can influence matches but the more teams concentrate on their own strengths, the better.

Development XV Statement

It is with reservations that the B&A Rugby Committee recently decided to withdraw the Development XV from the West of England 2nd XV Merit Table.  The decision was not taken without a great deal of thought, discussion and soul-searching but the Rugby Committee came to the unanimous decision that it was the correct one.
One of the major problems was in the provision of suitably-trained front row players.  With NCA Regulations governing the 1st XV insisting on at least five players in the squad capable of playing in the front row and an equal number required for the Development XV,  that would have necessitated ten front row forwards for these two teams on any Saturday.  When you factor in the requirements of the Athletic XV in their pursuit of winning their league ( they are currently unbeaten in Somerset 2(S) ) the situation was totally untenable.
The Development XV will have occasional matches arranged for Sunday afternoons and under lights in midweek when perhaps some of the 1st XV bench players can get rather more game time and some of the promising younger players in the club will have a chance to showcase their talents.

Tony Pomeroy, Chairman - Rugby Committee

Friendly Match (28/2/09)

Development XV 5 - 97 Launceston II

Match report by Mike Berry

Dirt trackers show considerable pluck when assisting United XV against formidable opposition

The Dirt-Trackers were without a fixture last Saturday (or so they thought) but late calls from the 1st XV meant that the United XV was depleted. 

Even then there was some confusion in the actual fixture as Bath University were on the list but did not materialise and in mid-week rumblings of a match against Launceston Amateur XV abounded. 

In the event Launceston sent what could only be regarded as an exceptionally strong XV containing many of their 1st XV squad and as their coach remarked to your correspondent – “the opportunity for 2nd XV games is minimal and we are delighted to have the chance to play here today”. 

And play they did with a magnificent display of all-round rugby football that blasted away the game but beleaguered home side.  The Albion starting line up contained seven United regulars and the remainder of the side was made up from the Dirt-Trackers who also supplied three of the four replacements

SOMERSET CUP QUARTER FINAL (18/1/09)

Clevedon 10 - 7 BARFC Development

Match report by Tony Pomeroy

Bridgwater failed to reach the semi final of the Somerset Cup in a disappointing match at Clevedon. 

The match was played on a very sloping pitch at Clevedon School as the main club pitch was too wet.

Surprisingly also, the Somerset Referees Society were unable to appoint any touch judges for the game and referee, Jonathan Healey, was left on his own in an abrasive forward battle that really did need three pairs of eyes. 

However, he should not have waited until the 65th minute to sort out the early jumping at the lineout.

Clevedon had the benefit of a stiff breeze in the first half and it took Bridgwater 13 minutes to get into the home half.  By that time, B&A had already lost flanker Carl Brown with a knee injury.  His replacement was Wayne Stiling.