Bridgwater 14 Tabard 20

Jewsons National League 2 South

Tabard got just the start to the new season they wanted with a superb away win over Bridgwater.

However, the game was not all plain sailing and the Tabard supporters held their breath at the end as Bridgwater pressurised the Tabard line looking for the vital try that, if they converted, would have robbed Tabard of a deserved win.

A nightmare coach journey left Tabard vulnerable at the start of the match but, although Bridgwater opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a try from their second row, they failed to break the Tabard resolve and the Cobden Hill side were able to crawl back into the game.

As the match settled down and Tabard began to dominate, they were rewarded with their first try.

From a loose scrum, fly half Nick Churchman made a half break and fed the ball to fullback Andy Pinnock on the burst for the try to level the scores.

From the ensuing kick-off, Tabard fumbled but Bridgwater infringed as they sought to capitalise.

Luders timed his pass to wing Simon Dogbe to perfection and Dogbe scored the best try of the match with a long, powerful run from 15 metres inside the Tabard half.

Churchman added the conversion and followed this just after with a penalty to give Tabard a ten point lead. Two Bridgwater penalties narrowed the lead so that the sides turned round with Tabard 15-11 up.

The second half belonged to Tabard but they did not get the reward for the pressure they exerted.

After 30 minutes, flanker Jag Johal went over but the referee was unsighted and the try was not awarded.

Tabard maintained the initiative and finally the score came.

From a scrum, number 8 Steve Armstrong gathered and fed Skinner breaking down the short side. With the line in sight, there was no stopping Skinner as he powered over for the try.

As the game approached the close, a good penalty kick from the halfway line for Bridgwater gave them the boost they needed to put Tabard under tremendous pressure but the defence held and Tabard came away with a good win.

This Saturday, Tabard entertain Metropolitan Police (3pm start).

TABARD: Pinnock, Bajak, Morete, Dogbe, Churchman (Hewson 44mins), Skinner, Singh, Sharo, Nolan, Malone, Bickle, Hanson, Johal, Armstrong.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.