Bridgwater & Albion RFC v St Austell RFC 28th Jan

BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC V ST AUSTELL RFC

SATURDAY 28th JANUARY 2023

KICK OFF 2.30 PM

Match Kindly Sponsored by The Dirtrackers

THE CLEAR LEAGUE

LEADERS ARRIVE INTENT ON AVOIDING THE BANANA SKIN THIS TIME; MUST WIN GAME FOR ALBION

We welcome high riding St Austell to College Way today. They are having a fine season and sit atop Regional 2 Tribute South West with an impressive 15-1 record on 75 points which includes 15 bonus points – one of those was in their only loss of the season 18-24 at Sidmouth on 1 October. In the last two Saturdays they have beaten their Cornish rivals Wadebridge 36-13 and Truro 31-12. They are some 17 points ahead of second-placed Crediton (our next opponents) but the Devon side have two games in hand.

St Austell originally won promotion from Western Counties West at the end of the 2012/13 season to join this level but were relegated after two seasons. They resurged again in 2019/20 and were promoted as runners up in Western Counties West and won the vote to secure the third place in this league as they had a better record than Matson who were runners up in the corresponding WC North. There was no play-off that year due to Covid restrictions. Last season, they were well in the frame coming towards the end of the season but a surprise defeat 26-30 here on 26 March whilst they were in the runners up spot somewhat upset them and they lost other games before the end of the season and finished fourth with a 16-8 record and 85 points – only the top three went up. They will be out to ensure that there are no mishaps this time.

In our previous meetings St Austell have held sway with a double in 2013/14; in the next season each side won its home game; in 2021/22 St Austell won 66-14 on their own ground but succumbed here. Earlier this season they blitzed Albion 83-0 with Albion holding out in the last ten minutes to prevent any further damage.

Bridgwater & Albion needed to improve their results from the first half of the season and to turn around earlier defeats. In the first game of this second half, we certainly improved the scoreline despite losing to Chard; then we produced a fine 28-24 victory over Newton Abbot whereas we had suffered a heavy defeat in Devon earlier; whilst losing at North Petherton the margin of defeat 6-19 was substantially reduced; this then left the intriguing match at Sherborne two Fridays ago which was a must win game – alas the home side reversed the early season result winning 23-9. In both of these last two matches, Albion were certainly in contention at the 60 minute mark but fell away when the next team to score was the likely winner. Hopefully it will not be too difficult to improve upon the scoreline suffered in Cornwall back in October.

Last Saturday, Albion also improved the margin against Teignmouth going down 17-37. That win has probably secured Teignmouth’s place in this league for next season whilst we need to fight on and really win everything going now. It will naturally be a difficult task both today and at Crediton in the rearranged game next week. There are only six matches left for us to rescue the season.

At Sherborne the supposed retiree Matt Ranson reappeared as replacement as he did at Teignmouth; also notably Will Monro made his first appearance of the season as a replacement at Sherborne and in a 40 minute spell produced sufficient line breaks to amplify how we have missed him this season. Alas he did not

play in South Devon last week. James Collings has played in several positions since his return to the club and has filled in admirably at scrum-half in some of these matches. In all the games, Albion have had their moments but have been unable to convert the chances which they have created. In the last few outings, Thomas Croal has regularly made half breaks but has been unable to finish; the pack has driven splendidly but once the ball has come back, we have been stopped near the opposition line – all vital areas which contribute to those important tries. At least last week we were on the end of two such scores at Teignmouth.

In the match at North Petherton, Taylor Buller played his 125th match in the 1st XV and a review of his record is contained later in this programme. Jay Owens is closing in on his badge award and makes his 70th appearance today.

Next week we visit Crediton in the re-arranged game postponed from 10 December and the following week also return to Devon for the match at Sidmouth – that game in November was of course one of our successes and we must amplify that again. The Six Nations takes over the main thrust of other rugby football and no doubt these games can be enjoyed after our own performances over the next few weeks.

UNITED XV COMPLETE LOCAL DOUBLE BUT SIDELINED SINCE

Our United XV made a spirited comeback in their home match against North Petherton II on the opening Saturday of 2023 coming back to win 29-26 thus completing the double over our local rivals for this season. There was no play at Huish Tigers last week and today the team is due to visit Castle Cary. This side took a long time to get organised and into its stride but once they had some semblance of a full XV, then they have produced some good results and this needs to continue for the remainder of the season. Next week the United XV visit Chard II and the following week on 11 February are home to Morganians seeking the double.

WOMEN’S XV DEFEATED AND WEATHER PUTS OFF LATER MATCHES

Our Women’s XV returned to the field against Avonmouth Oldboys(?) three weeks ago but were defeated but showed considerable spirit. Their subsequent matches at Melksham and home to Crewkerne fell foul of the inclement weather.

TODAY’S MATCH SPONSORS

We welcome former Dirtrackers who are sponsoring today’s match and the occasion also in memory of members of that team who have sadly passed away over the last few years. There has been a good response to the event and we hope that everyone will enjoy themselves and support our team on the field.

The Dirtrackers originally known as the Athletic XV was formed in the early 1960’s when there were sufficient numbers to ensure games for those left out of the first two senior sides. Initially, the team played in tandem with the United XV – often playing the same opponents at the same levels on the same day and shared transport arrangements. When leagues were introduced at senior level, the Athletic XV remained with friendlies but joined the leagues when later invited as Somerset RFU saw their way to including 2nd and 3rd XV’s in their league programmes. By then, the team was renamed the Dirtrackers as a result of the legacy from the British and Irish Lions whose mid-week side was christened “The Dirtrackers”. The team burst into league action and did well, securing promotion which was taken over by our United XV but always holding their own against our many local rivals.

Many of the Dirtrackers players never played beyond 3rd XV level; others thought they could not play above 3rd XV level but later proved both themselves and the club wrong with several making the 1st XV. In the old days, it was usual to find injured players from the 1st and 2nd XV’s making their way back through the 3rd XV but that has long passed.

The Dirtrackers’ stalwart was of course the incomparable Jack Smith who was an early member of the team when the side was formed and stayed with it as its manager until just before his death in December 2016. Jack and his captains had a knack of scouring the club and other areas of Bridgwater to try and ensure that we could put a side on the field and he would have been aghast that just over two years after his death the Dirtrackers played their last game on 12 January 2019 in a friendly at Somerton which they won 10-5. It is sad that in such a short space of time the side slipped away and we have never yet recovered it. Another stalwart David Norman who passed away in March 2020 was on the point of hoping to resurrect the side but unfortunately no one else has taken up the challenge.

Today, the club and the team salutes those who have given their all for the side over the years but have passed away over the last few years and these players include Jack and Dave and also Dean Cheffey; Trevor Field; Charlie Griffiths; Eddie Grey; Gerald (Ninja) Knight; Roland White; Barry Parr; Paul Woodford; Dave Smith; Andy Sarzweit; Peter Williams; Eric Ware; David Darch and Melvin Diment.

Perhaps someone in attendance today will think about resurrecting a team – even a veterans one. As can be seen from this season’s performances, we need some extra support for our playing strength.

TAYLOR BULLER – 125

In the match at North Petherton, Taylor Buller made his 125th appearance in our 1st XV. There is no award for this except the club’s grateful thanks for turning out on so many occasions and giving considerable scope for many more to come.

Taylor started his senior career at Wellington and made his debut for Albion in a 37-5 home victory over Bideford on 14 September 2013. He was a regular in our team in these early seasons and earned his 1st XV badge on 75 appearances after just over three seasons. When available, he has been an almost ever-present and has played consistently well. He also lends some considerable versatility giving him and his coaches a lot of scope. Well capable of playing in the back row – he has been playing in our second row recently and also done turns in the centre position. Add to that a very useful boot as a backup kicker, then you have a fine all-round player.

Just after making his 100th appearance in December 2018, Taylor stopped playing for the club but fortunately for us and him, he returned on 11 December 2021 against Thornbury and has taken up the position in which he has been selected since then. He has the opportunity of adding considerably to his appearances and we thank him for his exploits to date and look forward to more to come. His full record is:-

NEXT MATCHES ON THIS GROUND

Saturday 11 February

United XV v Morganians Kick-off 14.30

Saturday 18 February

1st XV v Truro Kick-off 1500

Saturday 4 March

United XV v Hornets III

Saturday 11 March

Kick-off 14.30

1st XV v Wellington Kick-off 15.00

11 March marks the end of the leagues season and our home match on that day is sponsored by the Friends of Bridgwater & Albion and tickets for their pre-match function are now on sale. You will know who to contact for that purpose.

When the league season is over, then league positions will determine whom plays in which Cup competitions with the RFU making the announcement as league tables are finalised. The aim is to provide competing clubs with four Cup matches – two home and two away with the group winners progressing to knock-out stages. This will therefore secure an extension to what was already a shortened season due to the reduction of clubs in each league. Watch this space for further details of Bridgwater & Albion’s further involvement –hopefully at Papa John’s National competition and at Somerset County RFU level for our United XV.

ST AUSTELL RFC

1. Matt Boothby

2. Miles Davey

3. Charlie Nicholson

4. Mark Vian

5. Tom Daniel

6. Rob Jeffs

7. Cam Taylor

8. Rory Jago

9. CJ Boyce

10. Chris Ashwin

11. Cav Boyer

12. Sam Parsons

13. Konnor Edwudzi

14. Dan Tyrrell

15. Matt Shepherd

16. Brandon Haque

17. Hector Bright

18. Ben Plummer