Sat 21 Sep 2019
Bridlington were away at West Leeds on Saturday, it was a glorious sunny day, much to the delight of the many travelling supporters that cheered the team on, all afternoon. The players played their best rugby thus far, and were unlucky not to come away with a win.
Bridlington kicked off the encounter, and found themselves having to defend, as a strong West Leeds side, brought the game to them, Bridlington were forced to give away an early penalty, which fullback Kier Breakwell gladly kicked to open the scoring.
From the restart the two sides exchanged a few long kicks, before Bridlington, decided to keep ball in hand and run at the home side, it wasn't long before Hooker Ralph Johnston made a great break up the middle of the park, the pack chased hard, and Johnston once again got his hands on the ball, and was driven over the line for the opening try of the match, Fly Half Matiu Welch kicked the easy conversion, to give the visitors the lead.
The two sides battled for control of the ball, and then from nowhere, Centre Sam Neave broke through the visitors defence and raced for the line, giving the lead back to the home side, following a successful conversion by Breakwell.
Bridlington found themselves defending again following the restart, but were able to soak up the pressure, escaping a couple of times, until from a break by Tom Brown, the team gathered pace and marched up field, pinning the home side on their line. The visitors attacked time and again, which culminated in a try for Number 8 James Thompson, which again was converted by Welch, as the visitors re took the lead.
The second half, had a disasterous start for the visitors, the home side kicked off, secured the ball and fed centre Neave who raced in for his second try of the afternoon, Breakwell was again successful with his conversion.
The two sides each enjoyed some possession, as the teams settled down once more, until West Leeds began to get a foot hold on the game, pinning the visitors back in their own half, the home sides pack, driving at the Bridlington line, but it was centre Neave, who once agin found himself on the score sheet, with his third try of the afternoon, from a short pass he dived over the line, Breakwell had a difficult kick, but was successful once more, giving the home side a ten point lead.
Bridlington pressed from the restart, camping out in the home sides 22, then from a lineout Prop Adam Dixon, raced for the line, good defence by West Leeds back row, were able to pull him down just yards from the line, Bridlington continued to press for the line. The home sides defence were able to thwart every attempt, at crossing the line, Welch found himself enough space and time to kick a drop goal.
Bridlington continued to press from the restart, enjoying a long period of possession, but Leeds defence stood firm once more, biding their time, until they were able to escape up field. Bridlington scrambled back to defend, giving away a kickable penalty, which Breakwell kicked, giving the home side a ten point lead again.
Bridlington began to have more and more possession, again pushing the home side backwards, until flanker Gary Heeley made a break, quick thinking by Johnston in support, he picked up the ball as Heeley was tackled, racing to the line for a try, which Welch converted.
Bridlington continued to press the home side for the remainder of the game, but were unable to convert the pressure into points.
Final score was West Leeds 27 - 24 Bridlington
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