BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC v GORDON LEAGUE
SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2025
KICK-OFF 1400
Match Day Programme
Welcome to Sponsors Day
Thank you for your continued support
SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2025
KICK-OFF 1400
GORDON
LEAGUE MAKE FIRST VISIT SINCE 1994 WHILST THE 2024/25 SEASON UNFOLDS WITH TEAMS JOCKEYING FOR POSITION
Today we welcome Gordon League for their first visit to College Way since October 1994 when we were in our first season of occupation here. That was an SW2 league encounter which we managed to win 7-6 in a season in which we were later promoted. Soon after leagues were formed in 1987, Gordon League plied their rugby football skills at SW2 but mainly in Western Counties North where they were champions in 2003/4 but unfortunately only survived one season up above. They then fell into Gloucestershire Premier and when leagues were restructured a few seasons ago, they were in Gloucestershire One North being runners up in both 2021/22 and 2022/23 and finally clinching the title in 2023/24 with a healthy 19-1 record.
This season, as in the case of most promoted sides, they have found the going tougher and are now in 8th position with a 5-1-10 record on 30 points. They have beaten Burnham-on-Sea both home and away in some high scoring encounters 44-28 away and 36-27 at home; they have also defeated Nailsea & Backwell 19-17, Chard 20-12 and of course Bridgwater & Albion 40-14 at home. In the game in Gloucester in November Gordon League produced an expansive all-round game certainly sufficient to defeat us well on the day but they will find the home side in renewed form and spirits today. Whatever, we wish them well for the run in.
Bridgwater & Albion has turned its season around in this second half starting with the game against Chard and then a good showing in narrow defeat at Old Redcliffians just before Christmas. Since then, all four of our matches in 2025 have been won by scoring 40+ points each time and on all occasions, turning over earlier defeats – some substantial. As with Burnham-on-Sea, turning an earlier 22-54 defeat into a 42-22 win; losing 19-39 at Old Bristolians but beating them here 48-45 with a last minute penalty; and even more substantially, yielding 87 points at home to Taunton II yet beating them 40-33 in Taunton two weeks ago. That game required a final minute try and conversion to clinch the issue but we had done remarkably well before that in keeping in touch with some high scoring opponents. Against Bristolians and Taunton II we encountered teams who like to move the ball from anywhere on the field and they needed calming down. However, such an adventurous approach leaves gaps somewhere and we now have had the ability to exploit those and to counteract at all times. In the other two victories, whilst we have let the opposition get ahead, we have been able top claw them back and then finally keep them out and add to our own scores with some good defence and some excellent attacking with our pack coming to the fore and driving well in both loose and tight – as was the case against Burnham and Cinderford II (43-20).
During this purple period (or is it psychedelic?) we have scored tries galore with newcomer Connor Hull picking up six tries and a penalty in his four matches to date; Kyran Devitt has picked up 60 points in the last four games to take him to 152 for the season which includes 11 tries. He is the leading try scorer with Gavin Knight (8), Alex Knight (7) and Taylor Buller (6).
Such recent progress has meant that we have now overtaken today’s opponents Gordon League and those of next week – Chosen Hill – so these two matches may be regarded as vital to our overall position and we will of course be hoping to maintain the momentum.
Next week we visit Chosen Hill Former Pupils for the first time – this match being re-arranged from early January. It appears that the 1 March fixture at Clifton II has now been moved to two weeks later. Today represents our penultimate home match of the league season – the last game is against Cleve on 8 March.
UNITED XV SLIP UP
Our United XV – vying with Castle Cary at the top of Counties 2 Somerset South – defeated Somerton 46-0 away on 25 January but conceded the double to their main rivals Castle Cary the following week at home 1534. Alas, there was no recovery last Saturday when we took on Wyvern at Wellington School going down 26-37. However, this was a much changed side which battled well to keep in the fight but the fact that the opposition kicked 5 penalties may have been the deciding factor. Today, the team visits North Petherton II seeking the double for the season.
DIRTRACKERS HIGH SCORING
Our Dirtrackers XV has lost its last two matches by just 5 points. A 43-48 home defeat against Minehead II brought plenty of appetite for the later wine and cheese party; last Saturday Weston-super-Mare III piped us 25-20. Today there is no match but a visit to Yeovil II next week offers plenty of promise.
COLTS XV HAVING A TOUGH TIME
This season’s Colts XV is young and most will have at least another season at this level before advancing into the senior ranks. Such inexperience has been amplified in recent weeks with defeats at Wells and at home last Saturday to Taunton where a much bigger and stronger team called all of the shots. However, there were some bright moments in both games and certainly enough to enthuse about and to look forward to further progress.
WOMEN’S XV AMONGST THE POINTS
On 2 February our Women’s XV comprehensively defeated their Bideford counterparts 58-10 here with a fine all-round display. This was their biggest win of the season and following a draw at Topsham and they will look forward to completing their season with some more difficult encounters but naturally buoyed by this type of performance.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
The club has invited its many advertisers, sponsors and affiliated businesses to this match to thank them for their considerable support during the season without which the club would struggle to survive. We hope that our guests will enjoy the game and hopefully Albion will be in the sparkling form which they have produced over the last few weeks to reward them.
