BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC V NORTH PETHERTON RFC SATURDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2022 KO 3PM
LANGUISHING LOCAL SIDES USE DERBY TO SPARK THEIR SEASONS
In welcoming North Petherton to College Way today for a Saturday encounter for a change, both sides seek to kick start their seasons after difficult starts in each case. Both sides have lost their opening four matches with our visitors having secured two bonus points putting them in 11th place to Bridgwater & Albion’s bottom position.
Since the clubs came into the same league in 2012/13, the results have been generally even and for the record, of the 17 league matches played since then (only one match was played in 2019/20), then North Petherton have won 10 and Albion 7. In two Cup encounters since 2011/12, each side has won once. Albion’s two victories last season 10 6 here in October 2021 and 28 25 at Beggars Brook in February completed their first double with Petherton having secured the same in 2012/13 and 2018/19. Last season Bridgwater & Albion finished in 10th place in the then South West One West with North Petherton one place behind.
North Petherton arrive having taken on the might of the Cornish clubs two of whom have been promoted this season Truro and Wadebridge Camels but they have gone done 15 39 and 17 38 last week respectively. There was a close encounter at home to Sidmouth where Petherton secured their bonus points in a 33 36 Friday night defeat. That was after a good start at buoyant St Austell where they went down 13 28. At least they have got two of their Cornwall trips out of the way in this early part of the season. Fortunes will undoubtedly sway for one team that will be the prize today.
Bridgwater & Albion return to College Way for their second home appearance of the season having been defeated 13 36 at Newton Abbot last Saturday. The surprising feature was perhaps the 11 changes from the team which was defeated at home to Crediton the week before which in itself showed 6 changes from the side fielded previously. However surprisingly there was only one debut amongst those changes and 6 of the 7 backs were different from the week before. Players were also out of position both starting and later due to replacements. We competed well at the start of each half but the home side’s willingness to use the width of the field stretched us. Jordan Buller then playing in the centre scored a try and nearly repeated again before the end and John Hill bound for Australia now kicked two penalties and a conversion. In the 4 matches to date Albion have already fielded 32 players. There may be an omen in that last season Albion started the season with 7 consecutive defeats but got off the mark in this match v North Petherton at the end of October. Chance would be favourable for today.
At the top of the league St Austell, Crediton and Sidmouth continue to maintain unbeaten records with the former thrashing hitherto unbeaten Wellington – a sign that anything can happen and that those well outside the leading positions can pick up some lost ground.
The league goes in to a rest week after this match and then Albion are at home to Sherborne on Friday night 14 October and then receive Teignmouth the following Saturday. Both of those sides are in reach in the league table and so these three home matches will be important to us. Sherborne requested a reversal of fixtures as their own ground is unavailable in October and that is why we have 3 consecutive home fixtures.
SIDES AND ASIDES
SIDES AND ASIDES
UNITED XV STILL LINGERING
Our United XV has only played one match so far this season against Somerton three weeks ago as numbers have been insufficient to field a representative side. This is despite our heavy usage in our 1st XV. Let’s hope that the strength will return to enable us to fulfil the Counties Somerset Three South league games.
UNDER 17’S START IN STYLE
Perhaps the most encouraging feature of the club’s playing aspects is our burgeoning U17 XV. The club is placing a lot of hope on the promise of this side as it comes through hopefully to secure Colts XV status next season and then the natural lead on to senior rugby. The team opened its season with a fine 40 7 victory over Wells last Friday and was a tribute to their training and preparation. A team to watch.
WOMEN’S XV
Albion’s Women’s XV have started their NC2 SW (Central) league campaign last Sunday with a match against a very experienced Hornettes XV and went down 5 55. They will be hoping for better things at Avonmouth Ladies tomorrow before their next home fixture against Melksham on 16 October.
NEXT MATCHES ON THIS GROUND
Friday 14 October
1st XV V Sherborne Kick off 19.30
Saturday 15 October
United XV v Yeovil II Kick off 3 pm
Sunday 16 October
Women’s XV v Melksham Kick off 14.00
Saturday 22 October
1st XV v Teignmouth Kick off 3 pm
Saturday 29 October
United XV v Castle Cary Kick off 3 pm
Bridgwater and Albion RFC Forth coming events
Christmas Party Nights
Friday 16th December and Saturday 17th December
Luxury Christmas Buffet Dance the night away to LIVE band The Haus Band Then party on with a disco! £26 per Ticket. £10 deposit required per person.
The Stuart Woodward Reunion Saturday 22nd October
Meet up with everyone from this era with a buffet lunch and match £12.50 per ticket.
Boxing Day Family Party
Let off steam after all that turkey and Christmas pud and let the children have a run about. All welcome. Ticket information to follow.
Dirt trackers Sponsor – Saturday 28th January
Tickets from the club office
The Friends Luncheon – Saturday 11th March
Ladies Day – Saturday 18th March
Our amazing Ladies Day is back. Book your table now with a deposit of £10 per ticket.
Presentation Evening – Friday 5th May
Weddings at Bridgwater and Albion RFC
We have had some gorgeous weddings at the club over the summer. Call us on 01278 423900 or e mail bookings@barfc.co.uk for more information.
Bridgwater and Albion RFC Team:
1 Michael Saunders
Kindly Sponsored by HM Electrical
2 Jordan Buller
3 Graham Slorance
4 Taylor Buller
5 Tom Hopkins
Kindly Sponsored by Long Controls Long Controls Limited Home
6 Karolis Urbonas
7 George Sluman (Capt)
Kindly Sponsored by Jane Heal in memory of John
8 Jack Perry
9 Jon Hill
10 Tom Steer
11 Thomas Croal
Kindly Sponsored Shirley Stacey
12 Jay Owens
Kindly Sponsored by Neil Owens Carpet and Vinyl 07917 886009
13 Lewis Pleece
Kind sponsored by Mike and Ryan Pleece
14 Danny Mahoney
Kindly Sponsored by Hannah Symes of Riverside Health www.hsmanualtherapy.co.uk
15 Roger Drabble
16 Harry Hodge
17 Rowan James
18 Will Kerry
Kindly Sponsored by Cora Heal
North Petherton RFC
1. Dan Morgan
2. Sam Williams
3. Kapeteni Filipe
4. Simon Ginell
5. Connor Perkins
6. Jake Ellis
7. Mac Taylor
8. James Taylor
9. Adam Conybeare
10. Sam Morison
11. Damian Griffiths
12. Bert Cowley
13. Jack Rees
14. Zak Evans
15. Mitch Needham
16. Alex Oglivie
17. Carl Brown
18. Lewis Allen
