BRIDGWATER & ALBION v OLD BRISTOLIANS 18 January by bridgwaterandalbionrfc

BRIDGWATER & ALBION v OLD BRISTOLIANS

SATURDAY 18 JANUARY 2025

KICK-OFF 1400 Match Day Programme

SATURDAY 18 JANUARY 2025

KICK-OFF 1400

OLD BOYS TRAVEL WITH TWO RECENT DOUBLES UNDER THEIR BELTS WHILST ALBION SEEK TO MAINTAIN RENEWED FORM

Today we welcome Old Bristolians for their second visit to College Way with the clubs having met for the first time last season in which Albion did the double winning 31-24 away in September 2023 and 26-0 here in December 2023. Bristolians finished in 10th place last season. That was their 11th season in Western Counties North and they have maintained a good record over these years. They have clearly transformed themselves this season and sit 3rd in the league at present on 52 points with a 10-5 record having played two more games than most other clubs.

Last week, those of us who visited Burnham on Sea to watch our Dirtrackers in action may have caught a glimpse of OB on the main pitch where they produced a narrow 26-19 victory over the home side; this was an identical scoreline to their win at home to Chard the previous week and in both of these games they completed doubles for the season. They have also beaten Cinderford II twice but in turn conceded the double against Clifton and have also gone down against Nailsea & Backwell, Cleve and Taunton II. Their free running style has produced some high scores with their 58-12 home victory against Burnham and 45-12 win at Gordon League amongst their best.

In the earlier encounter at Failand in October, they emphasised their style by racing to a 4 try bonus and 290 by the 27th minute – a cricket score was threatened (one lad was actually having a net adjacent to the pitch). However, Albion buckled down and scored just before half time and then proceeded to win the second half 12-10. Not enough but certainly a step in the right direction. Bristolians have had an uninterrupted season so far and we wish them well on the run in in their bid to secure their best ever placing in this league.

Bridgwater & Albion have run into form in their last three outings and will have been disappointed that they could not continue that progress when the game at Chosen Hill was called off last week and we were in pursuit of a rare double. Wins against Chard 25-17 and against Burnham 42-22 at the start of this year have certainly boosted our points. Sandwiched in between was also a good performance at Old Redcliffians on 21 December going down in somewhat inclement conditions 13-17 and almost clinching the issue in the closing stages. The performances of the pack in these games has been a hallmark completely changing the style of the game when compared with the earlier encounters against the same opponents. Whilst injuries threatened to disrupt us against Burnham, the rearrangements and a strong bench influence enabled us to maintain the momentum and to keep the pressure on the visitors and once we got the vital score ahead, we

went to town. In that game, John Hill made his 50th appearance and scored a try and George Sluman was making his 175th. James Collings who came off the bench made his 98th and is next in line for a personal landmark. Connor Hull made an impressive debut off the bench and it was his long range penalty which was the scoring springboard Albion required to race clear. Kyran Devitt crowned another fine display with two tries in his 19 point haul and Danny Mahoney also scored a brace finishing off his try in fine style.

We now have two matches to catch up against Cinderford II – rearranged for next Saturday 25 January and Chosen Hill – that will now be played on 22 February. At least the various postponements suffered by our club’s sides has meant that one team has played on most Saturdays, thus enabling support to be transferred to that team and the rearrangements also somewhat extend various gaps in the season – perhaps that is why there were gaps in the first place! So next week it is home again and that is followed by the short trip to Taunton II where we will be seeking to provide a better performance than in the home match here back in October.

NEW DATE Friday 27th June

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.

UNITED XV SHAKE OFF SLOTH

Having missed two games before the Christmas break, the United XV feasted on Crewkerne winning 47-14 just before the Christmas break and have so far been denied any action in 2025 with the first game at Wyvern and then last Friday’s home match against Weston-super-Mare United yielding to the weather. However, today a visit to Chard brings the appropriate action where the team will be seeking to complete the double having won 82-0 here earlier. That will put us in good stead for the vital encounter against Castle Cary at home on 1 February – the top of the table clash which may well decide the league outcome. Cary lost for the first time at Tor last Saturday.

DIRTRACKERS OUTING AT BURNHAM SAVES THE WEEKEND

Last Saturday our Dirtrackers XV was the only team in action and saved the weekend as far as players and supporters were concerned. It was certainly worth attending (not simply to glimpse Old Bristolians on the main pitch) as we ran in six tries in a 38-10 victory. The spirit of the game at this level shone through as we were able to assist Burnham with three loanees to make up their team and they all performed notably for the opposition. It is encouraging to see a lot of our younger players in good spirits and form duly prompted by some of the veterans. Today the team is due to visit old friends at Martock who are towards the top of the table so a tough encounter to be anticipated.

WOMEN’S XV BOUNCES BACK WELL

Our Women’s XV having suffered a heavy defeat at Okehampton just before Christmas, gave a much improved performance in their outing at Topsham on 5 January, drawing the game 5-5. The Women are in action here tomorrow against Helston, kick-off 1400, hoping to maintain their form.

COLTS XV AWAITING 2025 ACTION

Our Colts XV has also been idle in the last few weeks but were due to meet Wiveliscombe here last night. Subject to other rearrangements, there are two more home matches in the Somerset league to be completed over the next few weeks. In the meantime, our centre George Williams played for Bristol Bears against Bath Colts last weekend – a tribute to his own skills and to the Bears’ recruiting policies and also great experience.

NEXT FIXTURES ON THIS GROUND

Sunday 19 January

Women’s XV v Helston

Saturday 25 January

1st XV v Cinderford II

Dirtrackers v Hornets

Sunday 26 January

Colts XV v Burnham

Saturday 1 February

United XV v Castle Cary

Kick-off 1400

Dirtrackers v Minehead Barbarians II Kick-off 1400

JON HILL FINALLY ARRIVES AT 50TH APPEARANCE

Yet another of our long attached players who came up through our Mini, Junior and Youth sides has made his 50th appearance in the 1st XV against Burnham two weeks ago. Jon predominantly a scrum-half but well capable of appearing in any of the backs positions – has had a somewhat lingering career with the club but for very good reasons. He made his debut in the Somerset Cup match at Taunton as a full-back in November 2013 in company with Jay Owens and Dan and Olly Steward who all made their debuts on the same evening. Jon appeared seven times in the 2014/15 season and then took himself off to Plymouth University where he continued to play but did not reappear in an Albion side until the 2017/18 season when he made a further six appearances. He had left University by then but working in Bristol threw in his lot with our opponents today Old Bristolians for the shorted 2019/20 season. The next season was of course void but Jon returned to Abion in 2021/22 playing almost all of our games with 22 appearances and scored his first try as well as four others that season. Alas, work this time in Australia took him away again and he only appeared spasmodically in2022/23 and not at all in 2023/24. Fortunately for us, he reappeared against Old Redcliffians on 21 September 2024 having returned from his Australian stint and opportunely at a time when we needed his skills at scrum-half as Jake Knight submitted to a knee operation. Since then he has been an ever-present.

Jon is a sound scrum-half a good link between the backs and forwards. He scored a try on his 50th appearance to cap a great day. He has also produced some fine performances at full-back and also at stand-off and such versatility makes him a welcome member of our side. I am sure that the next 50 appearances will not take as long but that is over to Jon to fulfil – he has it all before him.

Jon is following in his father Steve’s footsteps – he was a jack of all trades player and master of several positions including scrum-half but played more predominantly in the pack but clearly the Albion pedigree has rubbed off well.

Debut 13.11.13 v Taunton A SCRFU Cup L 11-33

50 4.1.25 v Burnham on Sea H WCN W 42-22

XV on debut:

JW Hill; Basson Honeywell Allen Francis; Heal Knights; T Buller Dunn Kemmish Northey Blundell Bussell Hastie Chawatama. Replacements: Bryant Spellessy Owens D Steward O Steward Drabble Sluman.

(JW Hill is not to be confused with his almost namesake JH Hill who mainly played at full-back but who has not appeared in Albion sides for several seasons).

BRIDGWATER

& ALBION SAYS SAD FAREWELL TO WELSHMAN WHO THREW IN HIS LOT WITH THE CLUB ON ARRIVAL SOME 50 YEARS AGO

Those who have played for, supported and been officials of Bridgwater & Albion over the last 50 years will be sad to learn of the death between Christmas and New Year of Terry (TJW) Self.

Terry was born in Cardiff and like most Welshmen, was an avid follower of the game of rugby football. His own playing credentials beyond his school days were somewhat unknown but he was clearly well connected and went to school with Ian Robinson – a second-row from Cardiff who also played for Wales. Terry also professed some connection with Leicester Rugby where he had lived before progressing to Somerset. On arrival in Bridgwater, he did the honourable thing and joined the local club and my word – he threw himself into the life and soul of the club activity, serving the club in many different posts over the next 25 years. He first joined the general committee in 1974/5 and became a junior coach in 1975/6, moving on to be Mini Rugby Manager in 1978/9 when the club was fostering its Mini, Junior and Youth intentions. He advanced to Club Senior Coach in 1979/80 where he perhaps surprised himself and others with his training skills engendering an enthusiastic following and in particular, providing a lot of fun for the players involved. In the seasons that followed, he stepped down to assistant coach. Later, he became 1st Team Manager in 1988/9 and then became involved in the administration of the club as Assistant Secretary between 1989 and 1994. He was appointed Chairman of the club in 1991/2 and remained in that post until 1993/4 as well as being on the Finance sub-committee and Financial Advisor. He and his wife Christine were joint Hon Treasurers of the club in 1994/5 with Chris keeping the post until 1997/8. Terry became President of the club for the 1996/7 season, at the end of which Albion were promoted to the National Leagues for the first time.

Terry had an immense feel for the game and was extremely knowledgeable about it and its participants and his enthusiasm was second to none. Perhaps the most significant work he carried out for the club was his substantial involvement in preparing and paving the way for the club’s sale of the Broadway (Taunton Road) Ground and move to the present College Way premises – such negotiations taking place from the early 1990’s culminating in the club’s move to the current ground in early May 1994. He masterminded and chaired the special committee commissioned to determine the move and was highly commended for his work in producing facilities which at the time were second to none in West Country rugby football and indeed other sporting circles. That the club had money left over after resiting was also a significant feather in his and his committee’s caps. That stood the club in good stead for at least a few seasons.

After being involved in so many aspects and roles over a 25 year period, Terry stepped back from his various roles and sadly we have not seen much of him in recent years but no doubt he has kept an eye on progress through local press and other media. This club will certainly acknowledge his substantial contribution to the club’s fortunes, both on and off the field and in literal financial and status terms. Bridgwater & Albion sends its sincere condolences to Christine and Jamie and their family with thanks for Terry’s many years of significant involvement with many players indebted to his guidance in their younger years and for his ability in making playing the game and club life fun.

Terry’s funeral is to be held on Tuesday 28 January at St George’s Church, Wembdon at 1300 and thereafter at the Blake Hall. This will be an opportunity for the many players and officials who have been influenced by Terry’s beneficial actions for the club to pay their last respects.

Scribe

1. Gavin Knight 2. Karolis Urbonas 3. Harry Pentelow 4. Tom West 5. Tom Hopkins

6. Alex Knight 7. George Sluman 8. Taylor Buller 9. Jon Hill 10. Jay Owens 11. Kyran Devitt

James Collings

Charlie Willcox

Frost Josh 15. Connor Hull

16. Rowan Traynor

17. Rowan James

18. Trystan Hudson