BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC v CREDITON RFC SATURDAY 8TH JANUARY 2022

BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC v CREDITON RFC SATURDAY 8TH JANUARY 2022 KO 3PM

Match Sponsor Mike Berry President of Bridgwater & Albion RFC

ALBION STARTING TO PLAY CATCH-UP WHILST SIDMOUTH ALSO FIGHT TO STEM A RUN OF DEFEATS MID-DEVONIANS CREDITION ARE OUR FIRST 2022 VISITORS AS BOTH SIDES SEEK TO MANOEUVRE THEIR POSITIONS PENDING CHANGES IN THE LEAGUE STRUCTURE FOR NEXT SEASON We welcome Crediton as our opening visitors of 2022 and it is already a long time since our last home match on 20 November against Sidmouth so they are more than welcome. Crediton were founded in 1878 and made their first league visit in 2019/20 after stepping up from Western Counties West where they had played for many seasons – gaining promotion as runners up behind Sidmouth in 2018/19 and then beating Midsomer Norton in the regional play-off. The clubs have contested fixtures since well before 1900 but the September 2019 match here was our first league encounter. Albion made the most of it winning 27-22 here and also 19-17 at Crediton in January 2020. In the curtailed 2019/20 season Crediton finished in 10 th place on 37 points with a 7-13 record with Albion just above in 9 th position but some 14 points to the better. However earlier this season Crediton opened their league account against us with a fine 35-15 win in September.

Crediton arrive in eighth place in the league with a 6-7 record scoring 245 points against 353 and with 4 bonus points and are on 28 league points. Their home form has been particularly good with 5 wins out of 7 and they will probably agree that their victory over Devonport Services 18-17 in the first half of the season is their most meritorious. However on the road they have only succeeded once at Old Patesians winning 25-24.

Both sides will have been chastened by our last two mutual opponents St Austell and Thornbury with Albion going down heavily in both cases and Crediton losing 8-36 at St Austell and then at home to Thornbury 18-31 just before Christmas. Both sides will therefore wish to get back on the road in 2022 particularly as it is anticipated that the long talked about leagues restructuring will be determined by RFU with extra leagues above and at this level intending to produce more local matches – something which clubs need to bear in mind but at the same time, never overlooking the necessity of maintaining quality matches – something which the current league structure undoubtedly retains notwithstanding that to encounter some more testing matches, we may have to travel further afield. We of course are geographically neutral in this league but naturally understand the plight of the more distant and extremely placed teams.

Bridgwater & Albion is naturally disappointed with the first half showing which brought in two wins and a draw in league terms and one Somerset Cup victory (incidentally we are still awaiting details of the next round). A burst of improved form at the end of October and early November evaporated with the later defeats at St Austell and Thornbury where the side was ripped apart with substantial changes on each occasion. The list of appearances will indicate that we have used some 47 players in our 1 st XV so far this season – 16 of whom made their debuts and whilst that augers well for continued strength and experience, it also highlights the many changes which have been rung for many reasons – injury, availability, form etc.

Despite this, some players have reached notable landmarks in their careers with George Sluman passing through the 100 appearances mark; Kyran Devitt achieving his badge award at 75; Shaun Mahoney

achieving 50+ appearances. Prior to today’s match our hooker Gavin Knight tantalisingly stands on 98 appearances and Matt Ranson will be hoping to get back in action to achieve the remaining 6 appearances he needs for his cap award at 250. Will Monro (67), Oscar Tregenna (66) and Ryan Barnett (62) will also be seeking the 75 mark with James Brakes needing another 3 for his 50. As always, something to play for and a lot to catch up in many respects. Already the league table is fragmented into three real sections – Them being the top five St Austell, Devonport Services, Chew Valley, Lydney and Thornbury; Those Others in the mid-table teams which will include Crediton; and Us – the back markers which include Bridgwater & Albion, Old Patesians, Sidmouth and North Petherton.

SIDES AND ASIDES UNITED XV MAINTAINS SPIRIT Despite the considerable changes in the 1 st XV from week to week, the United XV has played on in good spirit and have won 3 of their 9 matches to date. In their last encounter against Old Sulians the match was abandoned as our Ollie Phillips sustained injury which fortunately is not as bad as suspected and we wish him well on a full recovery. That was preceded by a spirited performance at Old Redcliffians II where we competed splendidly. Today the team is at Cheddar Valley hoping to avenge a narrow defeat at the start of the season.

WOMENS’ XV – THE MOST SUCCESSFUL Our Women’s XV have won 3 of their 4 matches in the South West Development league to date. After starting with a home defeat against North Bristol II they have now rounded up comfortable victories against Cheddar Valley, Hardwicke and Quedgeley and lastly Ashley Down. There is considerable promise here and certainly something to build on.

LATE CAPTAIN LAMENTED Just before Christmas the club received the sad news that our former captain John Coleman had passed away and his funeral was scheduled for yesterday. The following tribute appeared on the club’s website.

JOHN EDWARD COLEMAN – STALWART, GENTLE GIANT OF THE SECOND ROW The news of John Coleman’s death on Thursday 16 December at the age of 82 has been received with considerable sadness but with many memories of John’s stirring presence with the club over a long period.

A young John Coleman first appeared for Bridgwater & Albion in the 1957/58 season alongside other newcomers Dennis Hill, Roy Chidgey, Phil Sealey and Geoff Paisey. He went on to serve the club for the next twelve seasons before taking early retirement to concentrate on his farming duties. John was an everpresent during his playing career and accumulated 415 1 st XV appearances starting in second row partnership with Dave Hodge and later forming a formidable second row pairing with Richard Bell whom John guided in his early days in senior rugby. He played in some of Albion’s vintage years in the late 1950’s/early 1960’s with team mates such as Colin Ball, Bobby Collard and Cyril Moate.

John captained Bridgwater & Albion 1st XV in both 1963/64 and 1964/5 – when the new clubhouse at the Broadway Ground was opened. He was also present in the 1965/66 side which met Bristol to inaugurate the Broadway Ground floodlights. He also appeared for Somerset in 1960/61.

John was the first ever winner of the club’s “Sportsman of the Year” trophy in 1962/63. He took part in the memorable tour to Denmark in 1970 and just after that retired in the 1970/71 season.

John was certainly gentle in demeanour and conducted himself with great aplomb both on and off the field. He was a popular teammate and opponent. However on the field he was as uncompromising as the opposition demanded – always giving his all for his team and teammates. He guided the careers of many young players who came in to the side giving them the depth of his experience – some never looked back.

After his retirement he served on the committee and was also at one time our fixtures secretary.

Throughout his career and indeed life John was a dairy farmer operating from Southwick, Mark and despite the long hours which farming demanded, his ever present record for Albion is remarkable and strength to his loyalty and dedication. He would have been delighted that his son Neil (a scrum half!) also played for Bridgwater & Albion between spells at the Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare clubs.

In 2015 John was presented with his Bridgwater & Albion cap honouring his stalwart service to the club.

Bridgwater & Albion sends its sincere condolences to Jo and family on their sad loss.

Scribe TODAY’S MATCH SPONSORS Our sponsor today is none other than our President Mike Berry who likes to sponsor a match as near to Christmas as possible and in accordance with his birthdate, but this season that was impossible as scheduled opponents Stroud of course have withdrawn from the league. However what better way to start the New Year with a good crowd to support the opening match of 2022. Mike needs no introduction either on or off the field – his 1595 appearances for the club over 50 seasons command that and he is now in his 23rd season as our President and carrying out his ambassadorial duties. The club thanks Mike for his continued support and hopes that he and his guests will have an enjoyable day.

KIND DONATION IN MEMORY OF FORMER PLAYER The family of the late Peter Williams - our bustling wing/centre from the early 1970’s until his work took him overseas many years later – have kindly donated funds to the club to commemorate Peter’s involvement. The club is using this to provide a new display case in the foyer. Members of Peter’s family will be in attendance today and the club thanks them for their very kind consideration.

NEXT FIXTURES ON THIS GROUND Saturday 15 January United XV v Chew Valley II

Kick-off 14.30

Saturday 22 January – Dave Norman Memorial Day (see note below – to book a ticket please e-mail bookings@barfc.co.uk 1st XV v Keynsham

Kick-off 15.00

Saturday 29 January United XV v Midsomer Norton II

Kick-off 14.30

The 1st XV are away to Devonport Services on 15 January and at Lydney on 29 January.

For the Keynsham match on 22 January, then this is being sponsored by our “Dirtrackers” from many eras and is principally in memorial and celebration of the rugby football life of David Norman who passed away in March 2020. Interim restrictions have prevented any earlier scheduling of honouring the club’s appreciation of his long time involvement.

Webb Ellis Somerset County Cup We have now just heard that the draw for the Quarter Finals has been made – these are to be played on the weekend of 26/27 February 2022.

Bridgwater & Albion have been drawn away to Wellington.

The full draw is:Taunton

v

Hornets

Gordano

v

Midsomer Norton

Wellington

v

Bridgwater & Albion

University of Bath

v

Weston-super-Mare

There is a further free date on Saturday 5 February but it is anticipated that our postponed match at Chew Valley will be rearranged for that date – further update in our programme v Keynsham on 22 January.

BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC

1SST XV 2021-22 (SOUTH WEST 1 WEST)

LEAGUE SOMERSET CUP

P

W

D

L

F

A

12 1 13

2 1 3

1 1

9 9

172 28 200

395 27 422

9

3

-

6

218

179

4

3

-

1

145

67

UNITED XV (SOMERSET 1) WOMENS XV

1ST XV APPEARANCES 2021-22 (including those as replacement/substitute)

13 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

GS KNIGHT O WHITE T CROAL* SC HEAL SA MAHONEY K URBONIS JW HILL J KNIGHT* L PHILLIPS GW SLUMAN O DAVIS* T HOPKINS A PAYNE* M SAUNDERS W SPRANGLE E TREBBLE-WESTLAKE S ADCOCK K DEVITT WJ MONRO MR RANSON R DRABBLE S BUCK* J PALMER* L STAPLES* J BRAKES AJ KING* DA LANG R MARK* J OWENS L PLECE G SLORANCE R BRIGHT G CLWYD-JONES W KERRY N PARRY* J ROBERTS* C TONG* L VIALA* R BARNETT GF BASSON R JAMES* DJ KEMMISH A NEWMAN D PAGE* O PHILLIPS A ROBINSON* O TREGENNA

* = DEBUT IN 2021/22 47 PLAYERS

SCORERS

72 25 23 15 10 5

SC HEAL(18P 9C) O WHITE (2T 3P 3C) K DEVITT (2T 3P 2C) SA MAHONEY (3T) R MARK (2T) WJ MONRO (2T) W SPRANGLE (2T) (ALL 1T) S ADCOCK R BRIGHT JW HILL GS KNIGHT AJ KING J ROBERTS L VIALA

Bridgwater and Albion RFC Team: 1. Matt Ranson – Kindly Sponsored by Godfrey and Shirley Stacey 2. Gavin Knight – Kindly Sponsored by Aspen Waite – 01278 445151 3. Samuel Adcock - – Kindly Sponsored by Ian Stone 4. Tom Hopkins – Kindly Sponsored by MRB Properties 5. Ethan Treble-Westlake - Kindly Sponsored as one of Badgers Boys 6. Karolis Urbonas – Kindly and cryptically chosen as one of the Presidents Men 7. George Sluman – Kindly Sponsored by Jane Heal in memory of John 8. Taylor Buller 9. Jake Knight - – Kindly Sponsored by Mike Morgan Electrical Services - 434263 10.

Stuart Heal – Connect Electrical Services – www.connect-electrical-services.co.uk

11. Kyran Devitt 12. Jay Owens – Kindly Sponsored Neil Owens Carpet and Linyl – 07917 886009 13. Richard Bright 14. Will Monro – Kindly Sponsored by Richard Preece Mortgages 07545 860805 15. Oskar White – Kindly Sponsored by Britannia Lanes of Bristol and Somerset 16. Olly Davis 17. Jim Quinney 18. Jon Hill - Kindly Sponsored by MRB Properties

Crediton RFC 1 Lance Palmer 2 Tom Luxmoore 3 Henry Gavin (Capt) 4 Luke Mingo 5 Will Goodman 6 Tom Mortimer 7 Jake Clarke 8 Ben Wonnacott 9 Ed Brady 10 Ollie Avery-Wright 11 Tyler Farley 12 Will Castleton 13 Devon Hosegood 14 Josh Woodland 15 Josh Davey

Social and Rugby Events Dates for the diary Saturday 22nd January – Dave Norman’s Memorial Match £10 Per Ticket Saturday 12th February – All pitch board, player sponsors and commercial partners will be contacted via email regarding this event.

Saturday 26th March – Ladies Day £25         

Our most fun packed ladies day yet.

Welcome glass of bubbles Gorgeous 2 Course Lunch Watch Bridgwater and Albion take on St Austell 'Miss Jolene Dover' The amazing, 'Two Tone' Live Band Followed by karaoke with the lovely Paul Enever All for only £25 All proceeds after costs to be split 50/50 to the club and Cancer Research UK

E-mail: bookings@barfc.co.uk to book your table/seats. £10 deposit required per person to reserve table/seats. Refunds will only be given if we are closed due to Government Restrictions. Full Payment by 1st March or table will be released Saturday 9th April – Friends Luncheon E-mail Richard Atwell friendsofbaarfc@aol.com