SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER
SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2024
ALBION SEEK FIRST VICTORY WHILST OLD REDS RECOVER FROM OPENING DAY DEFEAT
Today we welcome Old Redcliffians II to College Way for the second consecutive season – this is their second season in WCN and last season they finished fourth with a 14-6 record on 71 points. Prior to that, they only joined the leagues in 2021/22 when they swept through Somerset I and the following season impressively won Somerset Premier. The visitors are part of the famous Old Redcliffians Club from Scotland Lane, Brislington whose 1st XV plays in National II West. Old Reds teams have traditionally played some sparkling football and they showed their skills last season when completing the double over Albion by 40-26 in Bristol and 45-20 here last January. They started the season with perhaps a surprise defeat against Cleve – 21-50 –but have recovered their poise substantially with last week’s victory over Nailsea & Backwell 24-19. We can look forward to the usual enterprising encounter against these opponents.
Bridgwater & Albion returned to College Way having tasted narrow defeats at home to Nailsea & Backwell 23-31 and also at Chard last Friday evening going down by the single point 25-26 in a pulsating match where we held the initial sway for 35 minutes before succumbing to two late Chard first half tries; the narrow deficit was pulled back midway through the second half and although Chard regained the lead, we took it back with just nine minutes left and looked to cement the victory. However, Chard – through their much vaunted pack – had other thoughts and rallied well to put pressure on us near our own line and despite some heroic defence, penalties were conceded and the scrummaging of the home side finally succeeded in the very last seconds. However, there was still much to admire in some fine individual performances – notably from our inspirational skipper Taylor Buller who crossed for two tries; an all action performance from replacement Rowan Traynor; and some collective inspired play from our backs. We will however rue the lapses in the closing minutes of each half but today look to get back on the winning record.
The initial league results are as ever always topsy turvy and already there are just four unbeaten sides –namely Clifton II, Taunton II, Cleve and Chard who also pipped last year’s champions Cinderford II (but not promoted) by a single point with a last minute kick in their opening game.
Our United XV has started the season well and the resurrection of the Dirtrackers XV is also providing much greater strength to our club teams and we can only look forward from this. By dint of the movements in and out of WCN this season, then the league is much more competitive and with no disrespect whatsoever to the outgoing teams, there are no easy games. It is only the third week of the season and many more to come
UNITED XV MAKE TREMENDOUS START TO SEASON
Our United XV finished last season very well and buoyed by considerable supplements from emerging Colts and other newcomers, have started this season in top form. In the opening game at Cheddar Valley, we won 57-10 against the team who defeated us in the last match of last season. Last Saturday we went one better against Hornets III – last season’s champions but not promoted as their 2nd XV is only one league higher - 3015. This match was closely contested for 65 minutes with only two points then separating the teams but our finishing was excellent and the vital scores were achieved. Today we visit Crewkerne seeking the hattrick and hoping to maintain this initial form.
DIRTRACKERS TRIUMPHANT ON RESURRECTION
The 3rd XV (Athletic XV)/Dirtrackers XV sadly demised some seven years ago but hopefully and triumphantly has resurrected with the foundation of the team being some of the old stagers who have previously appeared over the years and knitting together neatly with youngsters who have come up through our Colts section with other fringe players from the senior squad. Hence last week’s match against Tor II on the back pitch created some considerable interest and those who turned up were not to be denied as we won 49-15 in a convincing performance which paid tribute to the spirit of the players who turned out, particularly those who may not have played for some considerable time. Last night, the Dirtrackers were due to play Westonsuper-Mare III away.
WOMENS XV
Last Sunday our Women’s XV visited Devonport Services in their first match of the season but went down 10-74. They will be at home to Topsham Tempests tomorrow looking to put matters straight. This season sees our Women’s XV in the South West League with many visits to the depths of Devon and Cornwall – a lot of travelling but hopefully the spirit will prevail.
