Western Counties (North): Burnham on Sea 54- 22 Bridgwater and Albion.

There are no easy matches in Western Counties (North) as Bridgwater and Albion discovered on Friday evening when they travelled up the M5 to face fellow strugglers Burnham-on-Sea who ran out the comfortable winners.

Played under floodlights this local derby attracted a large crowd who were treated to an entertaining match with plenty of rugby action and tries to warm up a chilly autumnal evening. 

The home side kicked off and took full advantage of the strong wind that was behind them to create pressure on the Bridgwater try line. However, the defence held firm and gradually the ball was worked into the Burnham half where the visitors won a penalty, which kicking into the strong wind went wide.

The hosts came back strongly and on 15 minutes took the lead after a good break down the left was initially repelled before the ball was worked across the back to Scott Beard who touched down in the right corner to put Burnham ahead.

Bridgwater came straight back into the attack and created pressure on the home line, but the Burnham defence held firm and they were unable to score.

After half an hour Bridgwater took the lead, and following pressure down the left wing Alex Knight went over for a try that Jay Owens added the extras to.

The lead was short-lived as the hosts hit straight back and following a scorching run Jude Donnelley scored a try in the left corner that was converted by Scott Havercroft. Burnham extended their lead shortly afterwards with another try this time from Kalaan Hassling which was converted by Havercroft.

On the stroke of half time Bridgwater mounted another attack which resulted in Stef Pierce going over for an unconverted try making the score 19-12 at the interval.

Burnham came out strongly after the break and even though they were now kicking into the wind, scored two converted tries in quick succession, the first by Sam Wall and the second by Sam Everett, both of which Havercroft added the extras to.

Bridgwater replied with a strong attack down the right hand wing but the home defence held out until eventually Harry Pentelow crashed over for an unconverted try making the score 33-17.

Burnham responded strongly and dominated the next period of play during which Jude Donnelly scored his second try which Havercroft converted.

Bridgwater weren’t done yet however and a long kick by Owens found touch in the right hand corner. From the line out the visitors looked to drive over the line but yet again were unable to break the defensive line and the ball was cleared.

The visitors mounted another strong attack and this time after the ball was played across the line Dan Lang went over in the corner.

In the dying minutes Burnham were in the ascendancy and two tries from Ryan Beard both converted by Scott Beard saw the hosts bring up their half century before the game ended  54-22.

B&ARFC- Josh Frost, Danny Mahoney, James Collings, Charlie Willcox, Dan Lang, Jay Owens, Jon Hill, Harry Pentelow, Gavin Knight, Stefan Pierce, Tom West, Taylor Buller, Alex Knight, George Sluman and Rowan Traynor.

Replacements- Ben Howden, Tom Hopkins and Oli Howley.