SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER 2022
BOTH SIDES GOT OFF THE MARK LAST WEEKEND BUT TEIGNMOUTH SHAVED THE BASEMENT POINTS BATTLE
We welcome our “old” friends Teignmouth to College Way today after a gap of a few seasons. The “old” is a reference to the fact that as Teignmouth were formed in 1874 and Bridgwater & Albion a year later, then the sides have been doing battle for many years in the days of yore but there was a long gap before we reunited with the seasiders in league terms when Teignmouth were promoted to SW1 West for the 2015/16 season. Since then we have enjoyed some high scoring games and prior to the 2018/19 season, each side have won 3 games apiece. In that last season, Albion snuck a 29 28 home win and won 34 21 away. Teignmouth finished in 12th place and were sadly relegated. However, they have reconsolidated well in Western Counties West in 2019/20 finishing 4th with a 13 1 9 record; a position they achieved again in 2021/22 this time with a 15 2 9 record and 89 points. Their late surge meant that they were in the restructuring shake up and as a result have come up back to what is now Regional 2 South West.
Like most promoted sides, Teignmouth have found it tough going but they have been involved in some remarkable high scoring games this season as a home defeat 41 43 against Sherborne; 31 39 against Wellington and 31 55 at Truro will testify. Last Saturday they got off the mark with a more calmly scored 17 13 victory over Wadebridge Camels. They have scored 137 points and conceded 277. Their bonus points from these high scoring matches are the difference in the respective clubs’ league points. Perhaps we can expect a bonanza of points here at College Way today. Whatever, Teignmouth will be out to entertain us. Whatever happens, we wish Teignmouth well for today and for the rest of this season.
Bridgwater & Albion got themselves off the mark with a well deserved 20 0 victory over Sherborne last Friday evening. This is certainly one of the games which Albion had to target for success and today’s match is of similar requirement. A good all round performance both in attack and defence was the key. Tom Steer had another controlling game from stand off and kicked 10 points. He also opened up the Sherborne defence to send Chris Tong under the posts. Sherborne certainly belied their low league position and caused the Albion defence some heartaches but all of that was well managed and the attacks were strongly repelled. In the closing stages Albion having seen off Sherborne’s come back attempt took play to the other end and after some concerted pressure, Jack Perry crashed over for the convincing score. Unfortunately Sherborne’s earlier bonus points and Teignmouth’s win still means that Albion are at the foot of the table but there is some promise to come. We will see today.
At the top of the table Crediton and Sidmouth remain unbeaten with St Austell our next opponents close behind Sidmouth are in fact our next home visitors on Friday 4 November to avoid the clash with Bridgwater Carnival. Three clubs Truro, Wadebridge and Wellington then sit in the middle and the remaining six clubs are bound within a band of 8 points so one or two wins can certainly change the overall positions and that is what we must be attempting to do today so will of course Teignmouth so a battle royal can be expected.
It shows that when our United XV get their act together then they can be formidable as their 58 10 victory over Yeovil II last Saturday showed. The highlight was a remarkable display by our veteran Roger Drabble. Not content with playing a large part in the 1st XV victory over Sherborne on Friday night and playing at scrum half, Roger gamely turned out on the wing for our 2nd XV and duly scored 5 tries. Such loyalty and willingness to play is the key. Other players responded and an excellent performance was to be had by all. However, player availability remains suspect and today the team was due to play newcomers to Counties 3 Somerset Huish Tigers in Taunton.
WOMEN’S XV START WELL BUT SWEPT AWAY IN SECOND HALF
Last Sunday our Women’s XV played their second match in their higher league but lost 12 37 to a well drilled Melksham XV. After taking an early 7 0 lead, Albion trailed 12 points to 15 at half time but the Melksham side took over control in the second half and scored several further tries. The Women’s XV’s next home game is against Old Bristolians on Sunday 6 November.
TODAY’S SPONSORSHIP
Today’s sponsorship takes the form of a reunion whereby we welcome back our former player/coach Stu Woodhouse. He and his family are touring Europe from Australia and he has been in the Bridgwater area for most of this week and the club has gathered together a fair representation of former players who were part of the teams in which Stu played since he came to the club at the start of the 2001/02 season. We welcome Stu, Megan (who assisted with some physio and other remedial work), Jack (who was born in Bridgwater) and Jenna to College Way and hope that they will have an enjoyable time meeting old friends.
It is worth looking back on the Woodhouse days and Stu arrived from the West Harbour Club in Sydney at the start of the 2001/2 season and after appearing in a pre season friendly at North Petherton, was called back to Sydney to assist a New South Wales XV and hence his actual debut was deferred until 24 September 2001 in a home match against Chinnor which we won 28 21 with Stu scoring a try. He made 13 appearances that season including two at full back scoring 6 tries and a towering drop goal. His first season was curtailed as he was called back to fulfil further commitments in Australia and did not return until October 2003 reappearing against St Mary’s Old Boys in the Powergen Intermediate Cup as a replacement and again scoring a try in a 28 6 home victory. He failed to complete that season as well as this time a groin injury side lined him and that necessitated an operation in the close season. He regained full fitness and took up the role as Director of Rugby Football at the start of the 2004/05 season during which he made 18 appearances and a further 4 tries.
The 2004/05 season was Albion’s hallmark after their later consolidation from an earlier spell at N2S (Level 4). This was the season when Albion gained promotion from SW1 back to the National Leagues by finishing second to Cinderford in the league table after holding off Clifton who were on the same points and all will remember the nail biting games towards the end of the season when we simply had to keep winning. We did and that meant a play off at Worthing where we triumphed 30 26 with Stu at the helm at No. 9 and his compatriot Matt Hastie scoring the winning try in the closing stages despite having been yellow carded earlier in the second half. Albion’s record in that season was outstanding with 18 wins out of 22 and scoring 1008 against 308. This was the highest total by any club in
Tigers. At the same event, Neil Meyer was awarded for the highest number of tries an astounding 43.
Having got us back to National League level, then Stu and Kevin Innalls shared the coaching duties and gradually eased us back in to the National frame. Stu played his part on the field with 16 appearances in 2005/06 and just 2 in his final season in 20006/07 when Albion finished a commendable 6th in N3S.
Over the same period then Albion reached five Somerset Cup finals and although they lost three, the 53 0 victory over Clevedon in 2004/05 put the seal on league promotion and in 2005/06 we saw off Hornets 29 20 in the final. 2006/07 saw a long run in the EDF National Trophy where we accounted for Blackheath 38 29 before succumbing to Newbury 7 27 in the fifth round. That year we also lost in the Somerset Cup Final to Weston super Mare 7 33.
Stu showed his strength in his organisational skills with extreme sleight of hand and foot which mesmerised many defences. He was a great mentor for many of our younger players at those times and with particular reference to increasing their fitness levels for their general good. He and Kevin certainly motivated the squad to some great moments and some exhilarating rugby football. In those early days of the return to National league then the club’s endeavouring spirit was considerably high.
It is therefore with very many memories that we welcome Stu and his family back today and hope that they will have an enjoyable day with us and that the team on the field can do the honours.
Just for the record the Bridgwater & Albion XV which won the play off match at Worthing on Saturday 20 April 2005 was:
Meyer; Griffiths Leung Wai Webber Hancock; George Woodhouse; S Ranson Kemmish M Ranson D Taylor R Cox Bryant (captain) Hastie Stiling. Replacements: Used Hafoka; Unused Norris Salmon. Scorers Tries Meyer Griffiths Leung Wai and Hastie; George kicked 2 penalties and 2 conversions. Worthing took an early 13 0 lead and extended that to 23 7 by half time. Albion however came back early in the second half to close the gap to 26 25 before Hastie’s magical try clinched the issue.
Saturday 29 October
United XV v Castle Cary
Friday 4 November
Kick off 15.00
1st XV v Sidmouth Kick off 19.30
Sunday 6 November
Women’s XV v Old Bristolians Kick off 14.00
Saturday 12 November
United XV v Wells II
