BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC v GORDON LEAGUE RFC
SATURDAY 29 MARCH 2025
KICK-OFF 1430
Match Day Programme
SATURDAY 29 MARCH 2025
GORDON LEAGUE MAKE FIRST VISIT SINCE 1994 WHILST THE 2024/25 SEASON UNFOLDS WITH TEAMS STILL JOCKEYING FOR POSITION AT BOTH THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE
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 and then mainly in Western Counties North where they were champions in 2003/4 but unfortunately only survived one season up above. They later fell in to Gloucestershire Premier and when leagues were restructured a few seasons ago, they were in Gloucestershire One North being runners up in both 2021/2 and 2022/3 and finally clinching the title last season with a healthy 19-1 record.
This season, as in the case of most promoted sides, they have found the going tougher and now sit in a precarious tenth position – mind you anything in the bottom five is dangerous not knowing how many clubs will be relegated – this is largely dependent on who is coming down from above. Gordon League have won five and drawn one of their 19 matches to date, having completed the double over Burnham-on-Sea and recorded other wins against Nailsea & Backwell, Chard and Bridgwater & Albion in the match in Gloucester on 9 November where they won 40-14. Their last win was 36-27 at home to Burnham-on-Sea on 18 January. 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 the home side has revived remarkably from those days and have shown themselves capable of turning around earlier heavy defeats. Gordon League finish off their season with a local derby against Chosen Hill next week – a game vital in the relegation stakes and will also be awaiting the adjudication of the abandoned game at Chard earlier in the season. Whatever, we wish them well for the run in.
Bridgwater & Albion, having turned its season around in this second half starting with the game against Chard before Christmas and then giving a good display in a narrow defeat at Old Redcliffians before the Christmas break. After that, we have whizzed into some remarkable form turning over substantial defeats in the earlier part of the season and producing five consecutive wins – four by 40 points and although slightly reduced in the scoreline, achieved an excellent victory over Cleve in our last home outing on 8 March 35-33. Alas, the winning bubble burst at Clifton II a fortnight ago but we came away with two vital bonus points –the four try and losing margin. Last week at Cinderford II, with several changes in our line-up, we failed to win a point for the first time since mid-November. We found the home side in renewed enthusiasm and a first minute concession of a try did not help matters and this was compounded by another soft try 15 minutes later and from 0-14 it was always a catch up situation. We never did but came back to score and put pressure on the home side but we held out well.
The easy answer to quell any lingering doubts about next season’s league status is of course to win our remaining three games – including today and particularly in the rearranged match at Chosen Hill in two weeks’ time. Fortunately, today’s opponents and Chosen Hill meet next week and that will undoubtedly take one or the other out. In between, we visit Nailsea & Backwell where we will look back to last season’s victory and will go hoping to repeat that and to turn around the earlier 23-31 home defeat on the first week of the season.
All to play for? Of course, that is the name of the game. This is our last home match of the season subject to our Papa Johns Cup involvement where we start with an away tie against the winners of Chard and Dorchester who are scheduled to meet on 12 April with Albion joining in on 26 April.
Well, after the doom and gloom of the first half of the season and one win only, members cannot complain about the entertainment served up in the second half – it has been magnificent and hopefully will now continue during these last three matches. The style of play and the excitement created has meant that more people have come to watch and lend their support and we thank them for their efforts.
NEXT MATCHES ON THIS GROUND
Saturday 5 April
United XV v Cheddar
Sunday 6 April
Women’s XV v Devonport Services
Sunday 13 April
Women’s XV v Helston
Kick-off 1430
Kick-off 1400
Kick-off 1400
It is advisable to check kick-off times with the club for these games.
UNITED XV RECOVER POISE AND CHASE ON
Our United XV blighted their fine record when losing at home to the league leaders Castle Cary at the start of February and then lost two more matches against Wyvern and Weston-super-Mare. However, they have recovered their poise considerably in the last few weeks overwhelming Tor 89-14 and Wellington II 41-22 and last week, completing the double over Somerton 38-12. This leaves just one more match against Cheddar whom we beat 57-10 in the opening game of the season and the possibilities of promotion to Somerset Premier (or whatever it is now called) looms. This has been an excellent season with just the four defeats and in particular meant that players promoted to the 1st XV have come in with these wins under their belt to provide extra confidence.
DIRTRACKERS SEEK DOUBLE
Our Dirtrackers XV recovered from a heavy defeat at Morganians earlier this month to beat Hornets IV away last Friday in a pulsating game 33-32. Ironically, these same opponents are on the back pitch today so we will be seeking a quick double. This team completes its season away to Wiveliscombe II next Saturday. It was always going to be a difficult first season back for a 3rd XV but we have striven manfully and although conceding a few games, have generally kept to the task. Hopefully we have now built a squad sufficient to carry us through to the 2025/26 season. The strength is important for the maintenance of our senior sides.
WOMEN’S XV SAVOUR ALL RANGES OF RESULTS
In the last few weeks our Women’s XV have both earned and conceded a walkover; they have drawn 37-37 at Helston and were substantially beaten by Okehampton here last Sunday – certainly no disgrace – they are the joint league leaders. Indeed, our next match is at home to the other joint leaders – Devonport Services – on 6 April before completing the season with another home match a week later against Helston. Albion Women have battled through a difficult season, particularly in terms of the geographical extent of this league, but will have relished their three wins and two draws to date with the opportunity of enhancing this in their last two matches.
With the proper rugby football season winding down, then walking rugby comes back into popularity during the Spring and Summer months. This facet of the game is gaining in popularity with tournaments abounding and indeed, Bridgwater & Albion is staging its own tournament in June and it appears that more than ten sides are already signed up to participate. Training/match sessions are organised for Wednesday evenings at 7 pm and any would-be participants simply need to turn up and enjoy themselves.
BRIDGWATER & ALBION RFC PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER PLAYER
JOHN LANGMAID
The club has received the sad news that former player John Langmaid passed away on 5 March at the age of 83. John was originally a familiar opponent when he was with Taunton RFC for his formative and developing years in the game, mainly appearing in the Taunton United XV with occasional games in the 1st XV. However, when John and his wife Sylvie relocated their fine furnishings business and home to the Bridgwater area, then John did the honourable thing and joined Bridgwater & Albion. This was just after both Taunton and Bridgwater & Albion had celebrated their centenaries in 1975/6. John played mainly in Albion’s United XV and became an established member of the side and the club generally. He purveyed his skills either on the wing or in the centre and was a very reliable and sound player, both in attack and defence. Perhaps his most prominent moment was when he was called in to a 1st XV match away at Plymouth Albion on 23 November 1977 when at the age of 35, he startled both his team-mates and certainly the Plymouth Albion defence by running in two outstanding tries from long distance – a real “Burglar Bill” performance. That gave Albion an astounding 26-7 away victory at one of their more difficult rivals at the time. John and the club lived on the memory of that for some time to come.
John assisted the club for several seasons before retiring in the mid-1980’s – he enjoyed club life and he will be long-remembered for the fun which he engendered both on and off the field.
Bridgwater & Albion sends its condolences to John’s family. His funeral will be held on Thursday 27 March at Taunton Deane Crematorium at 10.40 am.
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Our long-time groundsman Colin Bowerman is celebrating 60 years at Bridgwater & Albion in 2025 – a commendable personal achievement. Having reached 85 years of age, he is still in harness but sadly was forced to take a back seat due to recent illness but he is recovering well and anxious to get back to his duties.
Colin joined the club in 1965 when we were installed at the Broadway Ground when his relative Stan Innalls who looked after our grounds at the time suggested that Colin might assist. Well the assistance has lasted some considerable time. Beyond groundsman’s duties, Colin has also undertaken the washing of the club shirts and other odd jobs required around the club. He moved with the club when it relocated to College Way in 1994 and has been here ever since enjoying the more modern facilities on offer. His has been a labour of love and the club congratulates him on his fine service record. We hope that he is now restored to full health and that we can look forward to seeing his presence at the ground for some time to come.
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A night of Pure Queen, a fantastic tribute to the amazing Queen. Sit around a table with friends or get up and dance the night away.
Caberet style round tables. Feel free to bring your own snacks, cheese boards, charcuterie boards. Dress up, dress down, it's a whatever goes, kind of evening.
Tables of 10 or individual tickets sold to make-up tables. £15 per ticket
Doors Open 7pm - Act on at 8.15pm. Act to finish approx 10.15pm but welcome to stay and chill with some music. All enquiries to bookings@barfc.co.uk or ring 01278 423900 and leave a message.
