BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC v BURNHAM SATURDAY 4TH JAN

BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC v BURNHAM-ON-SEA SATURDAY 4 JANUARY 2025 KICK-OFF 1400

Match Day Programme

BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC v BURNHAM-ON-SEA

SATURDAY 4 JANUARY 2025

KICK-OFF 1400BOTH CLUBS TURN IN TO NEW YEAR WITH OPTIMISM AND HOPES TO SURGE UP THE LEAGUE TABLE

Today we welcome our first visitors of 2025 – Burnham-on-Sea – to College Way – for what is the clubs’ first league meeting here. However we have met several times in the Somerset Cup and so far, Albion have been successful.

Burnham-on-Sea have plied their skills mainly in the Somerset leagues but over the last few seasons, they have advanced considerably. In 2021/22 they finished 6th in Western Counties West but due to league rescheduling, found themselves in the North Section for 2022/23 where they made hay and finished runners up behind Cinderford II with a commendable 175 record and 85 points and sufficient for promotion to Regional 2 SW for 2023/24. Alas, the going was naturally tougher there and Burnham suffered immediate relegation with a 3-19 record and came back down to WCN this season with Chard. This season, two relegated clubs and ourselves have found it difficult to get a foothold and Burnham are now in 11 th place with just one victory – ironically against Bridgwater & Albion back in September – a resounding 54-22 result. However in recent weeks, matters have pepped up and two valuable points gleaned from a home 29-31 defeat by Cinderford II – the bottom club was followed by a further defeat 22-32 last time out on 20 December at Chard. Quite simply both clubs need to win not only to kick start 2025 on the right foot but to improve their league standings.

Whilst this may be the first home league meeting between the clubs, we have met several times in the Somerset Cup and so far, Albion have been successful.

Over the years, Burnham-on-Sea have had an excellent relationship with Bridgwater & Albion with many players from Burnham appearing for Albion with the likes of John Coleman, Mike Jones and Paul Burne who have all captained Albion and are in the top 20 of Albion appearances for all time. Neville Burne is also a capped B&A player and a former captain.

Many more have tried their luck and gained considerable experience and a lot have taken that back to Burnham so that their home club has always prospered. There is also of course a coaching link in today’s encounter with Kevin Innalls – our stalwart hooker with over 200 1st XV appearances and former coach now with the reins at Burnham for the last few seasons and he will be hoping to conjure a victory at his former club having done wonders for

Burnham in recent years. We hope that a lot of the former Burnham/B&A players will be in attendance today to make this a convivial occasion and wish Burnham well both today and for the remainder of the season.

Bridgwater & Albion stirred themselves very sufficiently to defeat Chard – our last home game before Christmas on a Friday night – winning 25-17. A commendable performance, especially as we went behind in the first few minutes of the game reminiscent of the earlier one point defeat at Chard. However, our forwards in particular got to grips with the lively and bulky Chard eight and so controlled matters much better than before. Tom West produced undoubtedly his best performance for Albion and was prominent in the action for all of our three vital scores. Last time out at Old Redcliffians II in difficult wet, windy and sloping conditions, we battled hard with some resolute defence and good use of the elements. In particular, we put the opposition under pressure at the end of the game and a disappointing refereeing decision may have cost victory but this was certainly a sterling effort against a side who won the first encounter here very comfortably. In this game, our scrumhalf John Hill made his 49th appearance in the 1st XV and George Sluman played his 174th game and both stand by to achieve personal milestones today.

Next week we break new ground with a first visit to Chosen Hill FP at Gloucester seeking to complete the double – the only chance we have (apart from Cinderford II); thereafter we welcome Old Bristolians who have scored a lot of points this season and then there is the rearranged game against Cinderford II – a busy January – just as well for what comes after.

Supporters will be advised to cherish these three home games in January as there is only one in February and one in March to follow – sparse you might say – ask the RFU.

SIDES AND ASIDES UNITED XV START SECOND HALF OF SEASON POSITIVELY Our United XV visited Hornets III on 14 December and played on the all weather pitch. We were rather ragged in the first half and trailed 5-11 at half time and 5-16 soon after. However, once we realised that running at and through the opposition defence was the better prospect, then the tries flowed with 6 reeled off in quick succession to produce the very welcome 39-21 away win. At home to Crewkerne on 21 December, we produced a convincing 47-14 win despite 1st XV calls on some of the regular performers. Today, this side faces a stiff test at Wyvern who came back from the dead in the earlier game to run us close and we will need to be on our mettle.

DIRTRACKERS DEFAULT Sadly on 14 December our Dirtrackers XV did not travel to Tor II due to various unavailabilities and the game against Weston-super-Mare III on 20 December was postponed so it is a while since this team has performed and they will need to be in good nick to prevent Yeovil II completing the double on their own ground today.

WOMEN’S XV BATTLED BRAVELY On 15 December our Women’s XV visited Okehampton and went down 14-80 but stuck with it and will be looking to revive morale for their remaining games. Tomorrow they are due for action at Topsham and play Helston here on 19 January.

COLTS XV The match on 20 December against North Petherton was postponed but the boys are back in action tomorrow at Wells.

A night of Pure Queen, a fantastic tribute to the amazing Queen. Sit around a table with friends or get up and dance the night away.

Caberet style round tables. Feel free to bring your own snacks, cheese boards, charcuterie boards. Dress up, dress down, it's a whatever goes, kind of evening.

Tables of 10 or individual tickets sold to make-up tables. £15 per ticket Doors Open 7pm - Act on at 8.15pm. Act to finish approx 10.15pm but welcome to stay and chill with some music.

All enquiries to bookings@barfc.co.uk or ring 01278 423900 and leave a message.

NEXT FIXTURES ON THIS GROUND

Friday 10 January United XV v Weston-super-Mare II

Kick-off 1930

Friday 17 January Colts XV v Wiveliscombe

Kick-off 1930

Saturday 18 January 1st XV v Old Bristolians

Kick-off 1400

Sunday 19 January Women’s XV v Helston

Kick-off 1400

Saturday 25 January 1st XV v Cinderford II

Kick-off 1400

Dirtrackers v Hornets IV

Kick-off 1400

BURNHAM-ON-SEAL ALUMNI FUEL BRIDGWATER & ALBION OVER THE YEARS There has always been a strong playing link between Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater & Albion starting in the late 1950’s when John Coleman made the transition from Burnham to the Taunton Road ground of Albion. He went on to captain B&A and play 415 times in our 1st XV. Similarly later arrivals from Burnham also captained Bridgwater & Albion with Mike Jones 372 and brothers Paul Burne (424) and Neville Burne (287). All four of these players are amongst the top 25 all time appearances for the club. Other notables have included Nigel French, Graham Watts, Martin Singleton, Archie Clarke, Glen Gaylard and Brian Webb in the back row; Chris Mitchell, Kenny Walker and Fred Psyk in the second row; Gareth Webb at prop. In the backs Steve Paul was one of the early transfers followed by Peter Smith, Chris Jennings, Dave Samuel, Ian Wilson, Mike Pitcher, Lee Saunders, Alan Clapp and Brendon Savage in the backs – Neil Coleman (son of John) also appeared for Albion between stints at both Burnham and Weston-super-Mare. The traffic flow down the A38 has slowed up in recent times with Eoin Westoff and Tim Piper briefly appearing at College Way. Mike Savage (father of Brendon) also appeared for Albion Veterans/Masters.

We hope that several of these players will be in attendance for today’s match and thank them all for their cross pollination which has done both clubs the world of good as many of the players who came over to Albion returned to Burnham with their additional experience rubbing off on their colleagues. Add to that the coaching attachment of Kevin Innalls to Burnham now following his 200+ 1st XV appearances for Albion and coaching experience here, then the significant link is complete.

TODAY’S MATCH SPONSOR

Our President Mike Berry is our host today and he has relished many Burnham/Albion battles at all levels over his long career which took in 1595 appearances in exactly 50 years. Mike welcomes friends from all walks of his life – family; former work colleagues and clients; players from Bridgwater & Albion and Burnham; golf acquaintances; cricketers etc. The club thanks Mike for his annual support – he is now in his 60th season here 26 of which of which have been spent as our President.

Burnham on Sea RFRC 1. Mike Walton 2. Nick Mcken 3. Thomas Gill 4. Jordan Cooper 5. Todd Stringer 6. Sam Wall 7. Joe Drain 8. Jude Donnelly 9. Dax Blyth 10. Tim Piper 11. Ryan Beard (c) 12. Scott Beard 13. Toby Fear 14. Harry Mcdonald 15. Scott Havercroft 16. Matt Plumley 17. Jake Harding 18. Jaymie Whitehouse

Coach: Kevin Innalls Physio: Glenn Cutter

In the mid-1990’s he resigned his teaching position and