BRIDGWATER & ALBION v GORDON LEAGUE
SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2026
KICK-OFF 1400
ALBION SEEK TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM AFTER LONG LAY-OFF WHILST GORDON LEAGUE ARRIVE IN GOOD FORM
We welcome Gordon League to College Way today – in the early day of leagues we played them at various levels and then our paths went different ways. However, last season we reacquainted ourselves with the visitors as they were successfully promoted from the Gloucestershire leagues after being runners up in the previous two seasons but clinching the championship in 2023/24 with a convincing 19-1 record. Like other newly promoted clubs, Gordon League found it tougher going last season but finished comfortably in ninth place. Last season, the honours were shared with each side winning their home game – Gordon League 4014 and Bridgwater & Albion 38-19. At the end of last season, Gordon League won their southern section of the Papa Johns Community Cup. The competitiveness of this league has again shown itself this season with Gordon League arriving in eighth place just one below Bridgwater & Albion and one point adrift with a 5-19 record. Earlier in the season, they defeated us 26-22 – a close run thing. After 3 minutes, Gordon League led 12-0 and Albion clawed that back and by half-time were leading and that was still the position with some 15 minutes left. Sadly Albion’s discipline disintegrated and four yellow cards and one red in the second half meant that we finished the game with 13 and Gordon League struck home successfully. When we played them back in November, neither side had won a game but since then, the League have beaten Taunton II; Old Redcliffians II; drawn at Chard; lost narrowly at Midsomer Norton and 0-5 at Nailsea but in their last game out, achieved their result of the season by defeating the early league leaders Dings Crusaders II 39-12. They arrive in good form. We wish them well in what is always a precarious run in in this league with the vagaries of who goes up and who goes down always the subject of some conjecture.
After making an excellent start to the second half of the season with 12 league points gained out of 15 in the three matches to date, Bridgwater & Albion have been somewhat kicking their heels in the last four weeks with the fragmented pattern of the league season meaning that with our game at Chosen Hill rained off two weeks ago and spare weeks either side, we have to look back to 31 January and our narrow 27-28 defeat against Clifton II for our last outing. Outscoring the visitors five tries to four, Albion could not make the conversions count but came away with two bonus points taking our total to 16 – the highest in the league. However, there is nothing better than an outright win and both sides will certainly be tussling today. In our last match, George Sluman played his 200th game in the 1st XV; Lewis Plece was awarded his club badge on achieving 75 appearances; and Josh Frost reached 50 1st XV games. Profiles of these players are contained in this programme. Today Jon Hill stands by for his 75th appearance. The postponed game at Chosen Hill is now scheduled to take place on 14 March after next week’s visit to Old Redcliffians II. The results of the matches in the next five weeks will undoubtedly determine the destiny of the clubs involved – all of whom are in the mix in the middle or wrong end of the table. As always, all to play for.
UNITED XV CONTINUE WINNING WAYS
Our United XV managed to beat the weather two weeks ago and also beat Hornets III 81-22 to maintain their excellent recent form. Today, the team visits league leaders Tor to whom we lost 38-41 earlier in the season. This return match certainly sounds an interesting battle. The team returns to College Way to meet North Petherton II next Saturday.
ATHLETIC XV/DIRTRACKERS PRODUCE SURPRISE RESULT
After arriving at Minehead on 7 February all ready to play, the match was called off by the referee. However the team regathered the next week and toppled league leaders Burnhamon-Sea II 34-31 at Stoddens Road. This was after a 17-17 home draw against Yeovil II previously. Unfortunately due to the withdrawal of both North Petherton III and Hornets IV, the team now has to wait until 21 March before its next fixture at Somerton. The postponed Minehead game is now being rescheduled for Saturday 2 May.
WOMEN’S XV ALSO DEFER TO THE WEATHER
Our Women’s XV games against Chew Valley and Wiveliscombe scheduled for the last few weeks have been called off due to the inclement conditions but last Sunday there was action at Trojans II in Southampton but alas a 0-38 defeat was the outcome. However there is still plenty of spirit in the team as they look forward to completing their season and picking up these earlier postponed games – one of which should have been against Wiveliscombe last night.
ENGLAND HONOURS FOR COLT GEORGE WILLIAMS
George Williams – one of our burgeoning Colts– now attached to Bristol Bears Academy –has been called up for the England U18 squad for the forthcoming 6 Nations tournament. He was part of the Bears team which won the Premiership Academy Final. The club is delighted with his progress and we wish him well in his international pursuits.
BRIDGWATER & ALBION RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB CONSIDERS NEW AWARDS ARRANGEMENTS FOR ITS PLAYERS – COMMENSURATE WITH THE CLUB’S 150 YEARS CELEBRATIONS
At present and historically over the last 60/70 years or so, Bridgwater & Albion RFC has acknowledged its players playing achievements by awarding a blazer badge on the attainment of 75 1st XV appearances. By the same token, a general club badge (i.e. without the 1st XV signification) is also available to players making 75 appearances in all senior sides. Standard club ties are available for purchase.
The memorabilia cabinets around the club will show that the club has historically awarded Caps. These were extremely prominent pre-WW1 but seem to be phased out later and it was not until 1995 that the club reimplemented the award of Caps – then to players attaining 300 1st XV appearances. At that point, there were just 5 then current players who were awarded. Acknowledging that the number of games played has substantially reduced over the last 40 years or so and particularly after the introduction of leagues in 1987, then the club determined in 2015 to reduce the 1st XV Cap appearances level to 250 and at that point, all players who had already achieved 250 appearances were duly presented and since then, Caps have been awarded when each player reaches that landmark. The club has again re-assessed the awards levels – taking into account that there now being on average just 25 or so 1st XV games per season – subject to success in Cup competitions. As a result and coincidentally in conjunction with our own 150 year celebrations, the club will now award Caps on the achievement of 150 1st XV appearances – the Caps being designed so that in the event of further continuing appearances – say to 200/250 etc – then the Cap can be endorsed with the new number. It is therefore intending to make this award to all players who are currently playing and have achieved the 150 level and at the same time, trying to identify players from the past who have also played more than 150 games. It is hoped that these awards will be made at some of our remaining home games this season.
On the basis that not many of the badges awarded are ever seen on blazers, then it is intended to replace badges with a special “1st XV” tie. This award may be more amenable and in accordance with modern dress senses, although the wearing of blazers is of course not to be overlooked.
The club hopes that these new arrangements will satisfy all requirements and it is good to see that our players do take some pride in appearing for the club and are proud to wear the accordant spoils.
After the match against Clifton II on 31 January, George Sluman received his cap on making his 200th 1st XV appearance on that day; both Taylor Buller and Gavin Knight received their 150th caps having achieved the landmark in the previous season. There are many more caps to be awarded from the ranks of our former players.
