Sat 22 Feb 2025
Saturday 22 February 2025, KO 14:00
The Friday night home fixture at the start of the season can be seen as a bit of a turning point for the United despite Bridgwater taking the advantage and wining the game. The United were within a score and it was their best performance of the season at that point. Travelling away to Bridgwater is always a tougher prospect but the United’s performances have had consistency and a noticeable improvement. The United have climbed to 6th in the league whilst Bridgwater sit comfortably one off the top.
This is also an important game for the Peter Pan, Chris Milko Young as he is set to win his 200th United cap skippering the side today. Rugby was never the first choice for Chris and at the age of 14 with the complexion of a bottle of gold top Chris was set on international Tiddlywinks with the off season based around the semi-pro world of Ker-Plunk. Unfortunately, or luckily for us a loss of dexterity between his thumbs and index fingers brought an end to his pipe dream. Chris is now a proud father of two and does everything at the club and with the limited spare time he has left enjoys cultivating cacti and is an active member of an Inuit Throat Singing Choir.
It’s worth noting that once again I am not on ground, AWOL and currently taking in the spectacular view of Mont Blanc in the French Alps. Its a bit rough I know, being away from the club and having to spend so much time with the other half but you’ll all be pleased to know I am keeping my chin up and putting on a brave face. There are in fact times when I actually quiet enjoying myself although I appreciate the photo below tells a different storey.
Bridgwater attack early and put the United on the back foot going into the lead, scoring twice and collecting a conversion. United find their way and Charlie Owens steals across the line for the first United points, with Young collecting the extras.
Bridgwater 12 -7 United,15mins
Young is vocal at the rear and the additional noise and control is appreciated. Rowan Bird takes the initiative and breaks deep inside the United half for a fine individual try with Young again good with the boot.
Bridgwater 12-14 United 30mins T
om Blyth walks in the next try, Young’s boot lets him down.
Bridgwater 12-19 United, 35mins
Now possibly young Tom might be a bit miffed by the above description and even remonstrate that there was much more to it. Tom may claim he had to catch the ball, but that’s in everyone’s job description, he had to beat his opposite number and show a turn of speed, all true. Basically Tom your making the rest of us look bad running away with the United’s top try scorer hat, if someone’s turned a corner we’re looking at him. Luckily you still have the ability to make the most ridiculous comments so you just keep setting the target up and the lads will knock it down.
Half Time Bridgwater 12-19 United
Nick Hawken makes way for Archie Tilsley and Ryan Donegan allows William Bamsey on to stretch his legs, 41 mins
Adam Fisher receives a nasty clunk on the swede and is sub off for Chris Ashworth and dispatched to A&E for stitches to the gash on the head, 50mins.
Bridgwater take advantage of the changes to the United side and has the United try to settle again concede first one then a second unconverted try to loose the lead.
Bridgwater 22-19 United
Mark Walker makes way for Richard Bishop on 60mins and this is the first game in a long while that Mark hasn’t concede a host of penalties. We all hope Mark is feeling better next week and gets over his current debilitating condition.
Its looking desperate for the United however the missed conversions from Bridgwater are providing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. In the dying moments United forwards win the ball, backs are set open but Burns gambles and goes blind to poach a try as the game finishes. Young’s boot has by now fallen off but nobody cares the United are back in the lead.
Bridgwater 22-24 United, 75mins
That’s it folks Full Time, a super W for the United and the feeling they could have gone further. We all know the answer lies in numbers Tuesday and Thursday. Great passion by the way from Vinnie Jones and backed up by Tom Blyth in the United match squad chat this week. It’s easy to poke fun at these guys but you can’t deny their passion and want to do better, look inward before out, we could all do better and take a leaf from their books.
Thank you to our Hosts Bridgwater, we have enjoyed to cracking games and look forward to meeting you again next season. Good luck with your remaining games there’s some work todo catching Castle Cary.
Wyvern RFC away next Saturday, Im back from skiing, broken but looking forward to seeing some rugby this weekend. Wyvern are just above us in the table but has we have just proved we can beat the top of the table, so roll on Saturday.
Backs Rowan Bird, Huw Matthews, Trueman Currie, Darren Burns, Nick Hawken, Tom Blyth, Chis Young (Capt)
Forwards Charlie Owens, Adam Fisher, Ryan Donegan, Ross Chester, Vinnie Jones, Joe Connolly, Tom Burge, Mark Walker
Reps (all used) William Bamsey, Simon Hudson, Archie Tilsley, Richard Bishop, Chris Ashworth
Thank you, the pleasure is all yours,
Mark Mongo Matthews
