BRIDGWATER & ALBION v NAILSEA & BACKWELL
SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2024
KICK-OFF 3pm
Match Programme
SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2024
YET MORE NEW LEAGUE OPPONENTS BUT NAILSEA & BACKWELL PROVIDE FAMILIARITY
As always, there is considerable movement of teams in and out of leagues and this season, Counties 1 Tribute Western North (WCN hereinafter) is no exemption. We have no fewer than five “new” clubs coming in to the league from one direction or the other. From last season, Longlevens were promoted although they were runners up to Cinderford II and the bottom four were relegated, so we say goodbye to Clevedon and Midsomer Norton – our fellow Somerset contenders – perhaps sadly; Chipping Sodbury were relegated without winning a game and sadly Barton Hill departed during midseason. So in turn, we welcome Taunton II and Gordon League winners of the Somerset and Gloucestershire Premier leagues respectively; all of Burnham-on-Sea, Chard and Chosen Hill FP coming down from their respective Level 6 from last season. We therefore play our first league encounters against Burnham, Chosen Hill and Taunton II whilst Chard and Gordon League have been earlier league opponents, although in the latter case, many years ago. As always, all to play for and it is a long way to 5 April 2025 when the league season ends.
Last season this time, we welcomed Nailsea & Backwell to the fold and we are delighted to receive them again on the opening day of 2024/25 season. N&B set out their stall on that first day with a convincing 3514 win here and they maintained their form throughout most of the season, ultimately finishing third in WCN with a 14-1-5 record and on 76 points they improved their league position by one place from the previous season and before that, they had stormed through Somerset Premier in 2021/22 with an excellent 23-2 record. Having enjoyed some success in these last two seasons, they will be hoping to go one better this time.
Bridgwater & Albion – perhaps surprised by that opening day defeat – turned tail in the last game of the season winning at Nailsea 21-15 thus setting the scene for an interim decider. We wish the visitors well both today and for the season generally.
Bridgwater & Albion have trained and played their warm up games well during the summer despite several injuries which we hope are not prolonged and caused by the hard grounds. Whilst these early games ended in narrow defeats, there has been much to enthuse about and we will be looking to improve our fifth place showing last season. Carl Rimmer as head coach and Richard Capstick from Exeter Chiefs remain at the helm of the coaching ambition and training numbers have been strong – they will need to be if we are to fulfil our intention of fielding three sides this season. Personnel is generally consistent but look out for one or two newcomers.
If we thought that three 2nd XV’s in last season’s league was difficult – we now have four and just missed out on a fifth as Dings Crusaders II lapsed right at the end of their season. As previously stated, these players from National League clubs need to play somewhere and at the same time, the experience gained by our players by competing with such quality ought to benefit the other teams. One thing is certain – we will need to improve our record against these teams with just one win out of the six matches last year but we now have eight to face this season.
Our United (2nd) XV actually picked up as the season went on last time and finishing a commendable eighth with some good victories over some of the better clubs towards the end of the season. We hope that this momentum can be continued in Counties 3 Tribute Somerset South in which new opponents will be Westonsuper-Mare II and Wyvern.
We have also entered our 3rd XV (Dirtrackers) in Counties 4 Somerset South – swayed by an influx of players from our successful Colts XV from last season some of whom have already made the step up into senior rugby and look impressive. It will be good to see three league sides back on the road. Today the United XV visit Cheddar Valley whilst the Dirtrackers are at Wiveliscombe – an old stomping ground.
The 1st XV games against Chard have been brought forward to a Friday night so we are at Chard next Friday – 13 September for a 19.30 kick-off.
It is good to be back and let us all look forward to an enjoyable and prosperous season.
BRIDGWATER & ALBION JOINS IN TRIBUTES TO LOCAL SPORTING LEGEND RAY WINDSOR
The local sporting world has mourned the death of Ray Windsor who passed away on 14 August aged 81. Ray was a legend in sporting circles in Somerset – particularly from the points of view of cricket and rugby football. Ray hailed from Wellington where he played for the local cricket and rugby football clubs. He later played cricket for Taunton and also was attached to Somerset County Cricket Club for a few years, appearing both in the County Championship; 2nd XI; and in the John Player League. On moving to Bridgwater, he joined Bridgwater Cricket Club and other local clubs and thus providing continuous sporting service for many years. Ray’s connection with Bridgwater & Albion is through his son Paul who played in all of our senior sides (his other son Mark played for Wellington Rugby) and later, Ray’s grandsons Mitchell and Kieran also played for the club with the former starting to make himself a regular in the 1st XV before injury ended his career; Kieran has played in our United XV. Due to the family appearances, then Ray was often at College Way supporting.
The club sends its sincere condolences to Ray’s family and thanks them for fond memories of his long time sporting indulgence – whether as a player or as a supporter.
NEXT FIXTURES ON THIS GROUND
Saturday 14 September
United XV v Hornets
Dirtrackers v Tor II
Saturday 21 September
1st XV v Old Redcliffians II
Saturday 28 September
United XV v Wyvern
Dirtrackers v Yeovil
Kick-off 1500
Kick-off 1500
Kick-off 1500
Kick-off 1500
Kick-off 1500
Players appearing for Club 1st XV from 1 September 1965 and thereafter as at 30 April 2024
582 A J HARRIS
559 R F BELL
554 N P EDMONDS
425 M R HAWKINS
424 P C L BURNE D L HODGE
420 P T NORRIS
415 J E COLEMAN
413 D J KEMMISH
392 J A BRYANT
385 M J TOMPKINS
376 I L VICKERY
372 M S W JONES
362 G M BULLER
347 M R BERRY
345 G A J PAISEY LW J ROSS
331 P W HAWKINS
327 A G WOOLLAM
321 L J PIMM
320 B F E SCOTT
315 D J BULLER M G RACKHAM
311 S M RANSON
300 C E WEBBER
294 A T WEBBER
287 N G L BURNE
279 F J TAYLOR B J VERMONT
265 J L H STRONG
263 M R RANSON
261 G J WHITCOMBE
260 J BIDDISCOMBE A J TROWBRIDGE
259 M HASTIE
