Sat 15 Jan 2011
National League 3 South West
Bridgwater & Albion 27 Weston-super-Mare 27
Report by John Harding
Weston fought back from 17-0 down and 27-13 down to gain a deserved draw, in a match which both sides will regret missed opportunities.
TWO converted tries in the final ten minutes wasn't enough for Weston-super-Mare to snatch victory from Bridgwater & Albion in the derby game at College Way as the honours finished even.
The home side ran in five tries to earn a bonus point but they also had two players sent to the sin-bin by referee Phil Watters but the Seasiders were only able to capitalise on the first occasion.
Bridgwater led 17-nil at the interval after tries from fly-half Sam Osborne, lock Ali Blundell and full back Will Topps with inside centre George Williams converting the first of his three attempts.
Williams also missed a long range penalty attempt before Bridgwater were reduced to 14 men just before the break as No.8 Dan Kemmish was yellow carded.
Weston took advantage of the extra man to claw themselves back in to the game with openside flanker Richard Bignell starting with a try as the visitors scoring 13 points in even time.
Inside centre James Mackay added the conversion of Bignell's try but then missed a drop goal attempt before adding two penalties as Weston reduced the deficit to two points.
Openside flanker Rob Burnell then became the second Bridgwater to be yellow carded but despite being a man down they scored tries out wide through wings James Austwick and Gavin Hancock.
Weston skipper George Sparks set-up a second try for Bignell before Bridgwater failed to clear their line when a kick was charged down and fly-half Dewey Swartbooi dived on the ball and Mackay converted both to level the scores.
The result leaves Weston ten points clear of the relegation zone with Bridgwater seven points and two places above with eleven games on the season still to play.
Bridgwater & Albion: Will Topps; James Austwick, Rob Allen, George Williams, Gavin Hancock; Sam Osborne, Dominik Griffin; Phil Triggoll, Ollie Dunn, Nick Brooks, Ali Blundell, Steve Hunt (capt), Carl Brown, Rob Burnell, Dan Kemmish. Reps: James Bryant, Matt Northey, Damian Griffin.
Weston-super-Mare: Joe Waterman; George Wright, James Mackay, Sean Bennett, Paul Sprague; Dewey Swartbooi, Jack Conway; David Swann, Craig Withers, Steve Donegan, Andy Richards, Ashley Russell, Jamie Rudkin, Richard Bignell, George Sparks (capt). Reps: Andy Glen, Gavin Simpson, Ross Bennett.
Bridgwater & Albion scorers - tries: Sam Osborne, Ali Blundell, Will Topps; James Austwick, Gavin Hancock; con: George Williams; yellow cards: Dan Kemmish, Rob Burnell.
Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Richard Bignell (2), Dewey Swartbooi; cons: James Mackay (3); pen: James Mackay (2).
Referee: Phil Watters (South West Group/Glos)
