Match Day Programme - B&A RFC v Sherborne RFC

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER 2022

KICK-OFF 19.30

We welcome Sherborne to College Way tonight for the clubs’ fifth encounter all of which have been on Albion’s home ground. The first three fixtures were all friendlies and played in early season between 1991/92 and 1993/4 all at the Broadway Ground and Albion were successful 37 6, 23 10 and 14 6. Following the move to College Way, then the clubs met in their only league game to date in South West 1 in September 1995 with Albion winning 38 11.

Sherborne were founded in 1980 and with leagues being introduced seven years later, they made remarkable progress to reach South West 1 in the mid 1990’s. This was not surprising with players of the quality of the O’Loughlin brothers (whom Glen later refereed to a good level), Andy Tucker, Alan Fall and the Workman brothers and later Mike Trew who also played for Bridgwater & Albion. Alas, their form slipped and it took them some time to recover, passing down through the leagues as far as Dorset & Wilts 1 but fortunately reconsolidating and picking their way back up through Southern Counties South to become eventual winners in that league in 2018/19 with a fine 21 1 record. They finished sixth in South West 1 East in 2019/20 and tenth last season and have now been involved in a level transfer to the Western Section of Level 6 now of course contained in three compartments.

Like Bridgwater & Albion, Sherborne have struggled this season despite getting off the mark in fine style with an excellent 43 41 victory at Teignmouth on the opening day. Since then, they have played all three Cornish clubs and Sidmouth but gone down on each occasion and in their last outing, lost 12 40 at Wadebridge. At least they have got some of their longer travelling out of the way. They arrive in tenth place with 6 points just above the vanquished Teignmouth and of course ourselves. This match was scheduled to be played at The Terraces tonight but Sherborne’s ground was unavailable and so the fixtures have been reversed and we will visit Sherborne in the New Year. So after some 27 years it is welcome back to our visitors with the aforementioned Mike Trew as their Chairman.

Bridgwater & Albion looked to be in a good place with 20 minutes to go in our local derby against North Petherton two weeks ago with an 18 9 lead. Alas a penalty try award against us proved to be the catalyst for a rampant Petherton come back during which they reeled off 31 unanswered points in the remaining quarter. Perhaps a salutary lesson. Up until those fatal last moments, we had played some composed rugby football and created two tries and had the better of the territory, restricting the visitors to three penalties. It is surprising how simple matters can spark a complete change round in games and this was certainly proof of that.

Tom Steer made a competent debut in this match and his 13 points (try, 2 penalties and conversion) put us in the frame and in a position to win the game. In particular, he put us in the right places around the field. Tom Croal scored his first try in 21 appearances. He was somewhat bemused when his opposite number flicked the ball back over his own line; Tom contemplated the ball lying there before falling on it and realising he had scored a try. At least he is now off the mark.

Today Bridgwater & Albion are winless and pointless but we must now target tonight’s game and indeed that against fellow strugglers Teignmouth here next Saturday to kick start our season as our later opponents will be those now gathering points further up the table. Whilst we made further changes to the side defeated by North Petherton, they were fewer than the week before with several players returning to bring us to more full strength and we need to play with the composure and poise shown in the opening 60 minutes for the whole of the game this time. The signs are that our United XV is gradually getting together and that can only be good support for the selection process.

Teignmouth are our visitors next Saturday and then we are off to the league leaders St Austell the following week before a Friday evening match pre Bridgwater Carnival against Sidmouth on 4 November.

UNITED XV TOGETHER AT LAST

After several weeks’ pondering and difficulty in producing an XV, we got our act in order two weeks ago at hitherto unbeaten North Petherton and clinched a 15 14 away victory despite being reduced to 14 players by the end. This simply shows what we can do when players are more readily available and this can only assist the overall strength of the club and boost our performances both at United and 1st XV levels. Tomorrow the United XV is due to play Yeovil II here at 3 pm noting that the visitors withdrew from their match last week.

WOMEN’S XV BACK AT HOME

Our Women’s XV suffered a heavy defeat in their opening league match at their new level against Hornettes three weeks ago and had some difficulty in raising a side for the encounter at Avonmouth in the following week. However, on Sunday they are due to meet Melksham here kick off 1400 when we hope that they will be able to get off the mark in this higher league.

NOSTALGIA RULES

There is reference to earlier encounters v Sherborne in these notes and it is perhaps worth recapping on the only league encounter between the clubs to date on 23 September 1995 at SW1 level (Level 5). Sherborne had made their way through the league structure very quickly following leagues introduction in 1987 and Albion were on their way back having been promoted to SW1 for 1995/96 after several years in the doldrums which saw two relegations between 1989 and 1992, taking us down to Western Counties (Level 7). However, we fought back and the appointment of the late, great Dave Egerton as coach for the 1995/96 season started to galvanise matters again. In those days, there was only one league encounter per season so 11 games and you needed to make your home matches count (what has changed there?). With the promotion and the new coach and considerable enthusiasm, the team galvanised itself in this first season back and finished a credible 4th but that turned out to be the springboard for a remarkable 1996/97 season when league games were then on a home and away basis and saw Albion romp to promotion to the National Leagues for the first time.

The team fielded in the September 1995 match was already vastly experienced and that was the key to the performances during that season and subsequently. As with all promotions, it is necessary to regear and rebuild to compete at the higher level and several of the team were reaching the end of their careers. However, Albion did well in their first season at National level but the subsequent influx of players were unfortunately not of the same quality as those who had got us the promotion in the first place. However lessons were learned and a further surge from SW1 back to National leagues at the end of the 2004/5 season. The rest as always is history.

The Albion XV in the September 1995 encounter was:

MJ Whittington; SD Edmonds DJ Buller S Goulby NL Vickery; NP Edmonds J Vernon; Mk Tompkins DJ Gurnett LJ Pimm MG Rackham GM Buller (captain) AJ Harris CM Rees GJ Whitcombe. Rep M Innalls.

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.

Farmers Lunch from the Friends of Bridgwater and Albion RFC – Saturday 26th November

Great pre Christmas day out!

Farmers Ploughman's Lunch followed by apple pie. Comedian and match entry to watch B&A take on Wadebridge Camels £25

Please book through the club on 01278 423900 or e mail bookings@barfc.co.uk

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

Please book all through the club on 01278 423900 or e-mail bookings@barfc.co.uk

Weddings at

and Albion RFC

Buller

Slorance

Buller

Tom Hopkins

Sponsored

Karolis

George Sluman (Capt)

Sponsored

Jack Perry

Roger Drabble

Tom Steer

Antoine Le Ster

Chris Tong

Lewis Plece

Heal

sponsored by Mike and Ryan Plece

Danny Mahoney

Sponsored by Hannah Symes of Riverside Health

Will Kerry

Sponsored by Cora Heal

Matt Bishop

Rowan James

Ollie Philips