Bridgwater and Albion RFC v North Petherton RFC - Match Day programme

BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC V NORTH PETHERTON RFC FRIDAY 29th OCTOBER 2021

LOCAL RIVALS BOTH HOPE TO PEP UP FORM AFTER DISAPPOINTING STARTS TO SEASON On a heady October Friday evening we welcome North Petherton and their supporters for another derby knees up/bun fight. On the last Friday night occasion at College Way on 8 March 2019 then the headline read “Local interest stirs as in-form sides relish perfect derby situation”. Then North Petherton had just beaten the league leaders Okehampton and won at St Ives; Albion had come off an eight match unbeaten run the week before. The contrast this season could not be more adverse – Albion are yet to win in seven outings although improved form over the last three games and returns from injury for several squad members augers well. In addition, we have now played six of the top seven sides (not St Austell) and therefore need to concentrate on dealing with the remaining clubs also desperately seeking more points.

North Petherton won at home to Thornbury last week by 33-26 to add to their earlier 48-14 home win v Old Patesians but they have lost their other home match to St Austell (who may be regarded as surprise league leaders having been promoted this season) and all three away games.

Albion returned empty handed from Newent going down 20-29 but were well in the game right up to the end when the home side scored their fourth try; this followed a gritty performance at home to Lydney three weeks ago when the 6-26 score line did not reflect our considerable efforts.

However, few of these factors will count on such a local derby occasion when everything and anything can happen – the invariable and perhaps late score often being the difference between victory and defeat.

In 2018/19 North Petherton narrowly won 25-22 at home and completed the double by an even tighter margin winning 22-21 here in March 2019. In the only encounter in 2019/20 in November 2019 North Petherton kicked three penalties against Will Monro’s late try to win 9-5. However just eight days later in the Webb Ellis SCRFU Cup Albion turned tails and won 30-22 at home – a

result which was to no avail as the Cup competition could not be completed and the return league match scheduled for later in March 2020 also fell foul of the dreaded pandemic.

So, as usual all to play for and more besides – good luck to both sides and let us hope for a return to true form for both of these rivals.

Amazingly, this is Albion’s penultimate home game of the first half of the season – the next and last is on 20 November v Sidmouth. We visit struggling Old Patesians next Saturday in Cheltenham and then the following week travel up the A38 to Winscombe for the first round match in this season’s Webb Ellis SCRFU Cup where we will find the home side in good fettle – sitting in fourth place in Western Counties North. North Petherton have a home tie against Taunton in this competition.

SIDES AND ASIDES HAPPY RETURNS AND LANDMARKS ACHIEVED Will Monro made his first appearance since the opening game of the season against Wellington when making his return with Albion’s try at Newent last Saturday. He together with other returning players are now bolstering the strength of our 1st and 2nd XV’s.

Tonight subject to selection then George Sluman stands by for his 100 th appearance in the 1st XV and Shaun Mahoney is due to make his 50 th. Further profiles of these players and their achievements will appear in our programme v Sidmouth on 20 November.

In the match against Lydney on 9 October Kyran Devit made his 75th 1st XV appearance and therefore qualified for his blazer badge – a notable step in any player’s career. In days of yore, players started their Albion life in the Athletic XV (Dirtrackers) and Kyran Devitt was no exception. However, his early prowess suggested that he would not be lingering long in our 3 rd XV and indeed prompted

by our President who suggested that he could go longer and further, he heeded the advice and stepped up through our 2nd XV and into the 1st XV appearing for

the first time there in January 2016 against Coney Hill and scoring two tries on debut. He gradually accumulated appearances over the next four seasons but just before the game was halted in the 2019/20 season – took himself on a brief sojourn at the seaside at Weston-super-Mare. That visit was brief and he realised that the sand and the donkeys were not for him and has made a successful return here this season, appearing in five of our matches to date.

Kyran is one of those all-round sportsman and has also played at first team level for both Bridgwater Cricket Club and Bridgwater Town FC – returning to the former’s top side in the West of England league and in good form this last summer.

He is a natural ball player with some considerable pace as his 30 tries in those 75 appearances suggest. He also has the added bonus of a thumping boot and in particular to long range kicks – the Elliott Daly of the Albion set up and is therefore an excellent back-up in the kicking stakes. He proved this recently at Keynsham kicking two penalties and two conversions and also stepped up in the Lydney match to land a long goal whilst the normal kicking incumbent was in the sin bin. He has been versatile in his positions playing mainly in the back three and also in the centre and last Saturday appeared in our United XV at stand-off. He has also put in some temporary bursts at scrum-half when other players have been injured. He is able to acquit himself comfortably in these positions. At the age of 27 he has plenty of time to reassert himself and continue the good progress.

2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2021-22

APPEARANCES

SCORES

11 12 23 20 5 4 75

7T C – 37 5T C – 27 9T 15C 4P - 87 8T 2P - 46 T 3P 2C - 18 30T 19C 9P - 215

Debut v Coney Hill

16.1.16

A

W

34-8 (2 tries on debut)

50 v Devonport Services 22.09.18

A

L

12-13

75 V Lydney

H

L

6-26 (penalty goal)

09.10.21

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE WRONG KIND Our United XV slipped to another narrow defeat at home to Keynsham II last week – 14-19. However this side is gradually gathering strength in both personnel and skills with the returns of several players including the Hill duo – JH and Tim. Whilst the United had the better of possession and territory, they could not force the issue – an interception try assisting Keynsham’s case.

Tomorrow this team is at Midsomer Norton II hoping to recapture their early season form.

NOT TO BE OUTDONE Our Women’s XV made their league debut in splendid fashion against North Bristol II here a few weeks ago but despite the 17-50 score line, gave a spirited and often skilful performance against experienced visitors. The team was able to make the most of the opening outing and triumphed 19-7 at Cheddar Valley, this result was certainly a fillip and a boost to support the enthusiasm clearly displayed.

Our U15 XV which is showing some considerable promise advanced in the Somerset Cup with a 14-5 home victory over Minehead recently and now look forward to the next round.

These teams are all part and parcel of the burgeoning community spirit developed within the club. All teams are worthy of your support and will be happy to display their skills to you.

NEXT FIXTURES Saturday 6 November

United XV v Morganians

Kick-off 2.30 pm

Saturday 20 November 1st XV v Sidmouth

Kick-off 3 pm

Friday 26 November United XV v North Petherton II

Kick-off 7.30 pm

Saturday 11 December United XV v Old Sulians

Kick-off 2.30 pm

Members should note that the 1st XV game v Sidmouth on 20 November and sponsored by the Friends of Bridgwater & Albion is our last home match in 2021 – our scheduled visitors on 4 December Stroud having withdrawn from the league. We open 2022 with a home fixture against Crediton on 8 January.

On 13 November we visit Winscombe in the first round of this season’s Webb Ellis SCRFU Cup – a quick trip up the A38 where we hope that we will have considerable support.

Bridgwater and Albion RFC Team: 1. Michael Saunders – Kindly Sponsored by Ian Stone 2. Gavin Knight – Kindly Sponsored by Aspen Waite – 01278 445151 3. Lewis Phillips – Kindly Sponsored by Richard Preece Mortgages 07545 860805 4. Wayne Sprangle – Kindly Sponsored by Mike Morgan Electrical Services - 434263 5.

Alex Payne (C) – Kindly Sponsored by E18hteen Gin - www.18gin.co.uk

6. Shaun Mahoney – Aspen Waite – 01278 445151 7. George Sluman – Kindly Sponsored by Jane Heal in memory of John 8. Ethan Trebble-Westlake 9. Jake Knight - – Kindly Sponsored by Mike Morgan Electrical Services - 434263 10.

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

11. Thomas Croal 12. Oskar White – Kindly Sponsored by Britannia Lanes of Bristol and Somerset 13. Aj King 14. Chris Tong 15. Will Monro – Kindly Sponsored by Richard Preece Mortgages 07545 860805 16. Samuel Adcock - – Kindly Sponsored by Ian Stone 17. Olly Davis 18. Jon Hill

All the above are available for sponsorship please e-mail emma@barfc.co.uk to arrange.

North Petherton RFC 1. Dan Morgan 2. Sam Williams (C) 3. Alexander Games-Thomas 4. Jack Coles 5. Connor Perkins 6. Aiden Cotton 7. Mac Taylor 8. James Taylor 9. Adam Conybeare 10. Dominic Griffin 11. Mitch Needham 12. Billy Massingham 13. Seb Roodt 14. Damo Griffin 15. Jack Rees 16. Josh Luke 17. Sam Villis 18. Lewis Allen