BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC v OLD REDCLIFFIANS II
SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2025
KICK-OFF 1400
BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC v OLD REDCLIFFIANS II
SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2025
KICK-OFF 1400
ALBION SEEKING TO OVERTURN BRISTOLIANS AFTER CLOSER GAME LAST SEASON
We welcome Old Redcliffians II to College Way today. This side first appeared in Somerset I in 2021/22 and were duly promoted to Somerset Premier which they also won in 2022/23 to take their place in Western Counties North for the first time in 2023/24. We found out about the traditional Old Reds pedigree as they completed a double 40-26 at Scotland Lane and 45-20 here. That enabled them to finish a commendable 4th in their first season in this league. Last season they also completed the double, winning 47-17 here in September 2024 but we gave them a close call in Bristol just before Christmas 2024 going down 13-17 when an unsighted referee (meaning he did not see the play) may have cost us glory. Old Reds again finished 4th with a 14-8 and 73 points record. This season, they started off with a heavy loss at Taunton (19-47) but then won their next three games against Gordano, Chard and overwhelmed Midsomer Norton 62-13; they have now lost their last two matches at Nailsea & Backwell and at home to the unbeaten leaders Dings Crusaders 27-31. They have an even 3-3 record in 5th place on 17 points.
Teams from Old Redcliffians can be relied upon to play entertaining football and we wish them well for both today’s encounter and for the remainder of the season.
Bridgwater & Albion – boosted by the win in our last home match against Chosen Hill FP (30-29) returned somewhat chastened from their trip to Gordon League and will be rueing their misdemeanours which cost us four yellow cards and one red in the second half, meaning that for most of the half, we were playing with 14 men. The numerical deficiency cost us the game at the end with the home side finally breaking through our depleted ranks. That was after a commendable earlier performance when despite going 0-12 down within 3 minutes, we clawed our way back with some excellent midfield play linking with the forwards to lead 17-12 at the break. Gordon League piled on the pressure in the second half and we only came out of our 22 twice and one of those was to score a break away try through the returning Shaun Mahoney to put us into a 22-12 lead. Alas, the continuing infringements saw the referee reach for his pocket on too many occasions and the home side took due advantage. Hopefully lessons will have been learned and today’s opponents will certainly be quick to pounce on any opportunities given to them.
Although there was defeat in Gloucester, 2 bonus points gleaned were useful enabling us to keep afloat and still in the game despite achieving just the one victory so far this season. We will need to be on our mettle today as in the next four matches after this, we play sides sitting in 4th, 7th, 3rd and 2nd. All tough tests but those which we must meet head on to ensure we can turn into the second half of the season with a more secure record to take us in to the new year.
2ND XV IN RAMPANT SCORING FORM
In this somewhat fragmented season it has been left to our 2nd and 3rd XV’s to provide the home entertainment in recent weeks. Two weeks ago, we played high-riding Tor and just went down 38-41. This game welcomed back Ollie Phillips from a pre-season injury and he also took up the reins in last week’s outing against Crewkerne which resulted in a resounding 46-0 victory with Shaun Mahoney grabbing a hattrick and Cam Modley 2 tries. Today the side is at North Petherton II and next week face newly promoted Martock at home.
ATHLETIC/DIRTRACKERS XV
The Dirtrackers XV has soldiered on despite difficulties on cobbling a side together on some occasions. However there was some spirit in the defeats at Yeovil II (12-63) and at home to Burnham-on-Sea (7-34) recently. Today we are due to meet North Petherton III on the back pitch and will be at Somerton next Saturday.
WOMEN’S CV HOLDING THEIR HEADS UP
The Women’s XV after losing their first 3 games heavily, produced a more solid performance against league leaders Trojans II going down 5-30 recently. They also produced a fine spirited performance fitting the occasion in the Beth Branson Memorial Match last Friday. The squad continues to be strong and looks forward to its next matches.
NEXT MATCHES ON THIS GROUND
Saturday 29 November
2nd XV v Martock
Saturday 6 December
1st XV v Chard
3rd XV v Morganians
Saturday 13 December
2nd XV v Wiveliscombe II
Saturday 20 December
1st XV v Nailsea & Backwell
Kick-off 1400
Kick-off 1400
Kick-off 1400
Kick-off 1400
Kick-off 1400
In our last home game against Chosen Hill FP, one of our more colourful players James “Forest” Brakes finally made his 50th appearance in the 1st team. Like several others who have reached the mark in recent seasons, he has certainly taken his time but seems to be making up for it now.
James progressed through our mini, junior and youth section to join the senior ranks and made his 1st XV debut as long ago as 12 March 2011 at Hartpury College in a daunting 7-70 defeat in N3SW. He scored a try on his second appearance a few weeks later against Old Patesians and played in the remarkable 42-42 draw with Oxford Harlequins at the end of that season. Thereafter his appearances have been certainly spasmodic but to be fair, he has always played with considerable verve and vigour in our 2nd and 3rd XV’s whenever required. A natural winger and blessed with useful speed (at least in his more youthful days), he has also played with some aplomb in the centre. In the 2018/19 season when he made his most appearances (9), he scored a try in the deluge against Coney Hill when Albion won 97-14. He made an isolated appearance in 2022/23 at Newton Abbot but came back into the side earlier this season and reached the 50 mark against Chosen Hill. Unfortunately he had to leave the field early in that game but scored the try to gloss his achievement in the next game at Gordon League on our last outing in the narrow defeat. That he has played three games in succession now may lead to bigger and better things. He has plenty of time on his side and the club acknowledges his enthusiasm and spirit and he is an excellent member of the squad.
His recent claim to fame is that he has sired a lovely daughter Penelope with our Ladies XV player Michelle Blackford. Penelope was born in September and lo and behold appeared at her first Albion match just a few days later. We congratulate the happy couple and look forward to Penelope’s development through the ranks as both of her parents have done so.
