Nailsea & Backwell travelled into Bristol for their league match against St Bernadettes at the Air Field ground. Normally raining sideways and blowing a gale, the warm, sunny and calm weather was unusual and made for running rugby. So it was to be with both sides moving the ball at every opportunity. However it was Nailsea who opened the scoring when after a scrum was won against the head and the ball moved through the hands, Full Back Alex Jones went in under the sticks – conversion duly missed as the ball fell off the tee!
Jones then struck again when a Saints attack broke down in the Nailsea half. Flanker Harvey Flower found Jones who ran in for his second try from 50 metres. The try was converted by Jamie Elswood, 0-12.
On the half hour Saints were penalised and from the resultant 5 metre line out, the drive was set up for Nailsea Hooker Ryan Barrow to score out wide, 0-17. Minutes later Nailsea won a line out in their own half and moved the ball one way then the other to find Captain Luke Sharp whose perfect wide pass found Ryan Barrow who ran in unopposed for the bonus point try. Elswood again converting. 0-24.
Saints, always worthy opponents especially at home, responded with a try from a series of pick and goes. Just prior to half time, Nailsea Centre, Ryan Love, was unlucky not to score on the restart when he was put clear only for the pass to be judged forward, to leave the half time score at 7-24.
The Saints indiscipline and resultant yellow cards were hurting them, but even with 14 men Saints responded with a length of the field converted try, 14-24.
With the Saints having the last two scores, Nailsea turned on a five try scoring spree. A scrum win by Nailsea set up a series of pick and goes. Mike Frohlich then sent the ball to Ryan Love who put Harrison Gould free to run in a try, Elswood adding the extras, 14-31.
Then a loose clearance kick by Saints saw Nailsea set up a counter attack which set Wing Harry Marshall on a scoring run, 14-36. From an attack in the Saints 22, Scrum Half Jamie Sullivan put a deft box kick into the clear for Man of the Match Outside Half Rob Baker, who was excellent in attack and defence, and Ryan Barrow to chase into the dead ball area. Baker was pulled back by the desperate covering Saints Wing and Barrow was then tackled without the ball for the referee to award a penalty try, 14-43.
On the half hour Centre, Ryan Love, then got the score he deserved when the ball was moved wide against a struggling Saints defence and straight running saw the try scored. Elswood converting to bring up the 50 points.
Saints, never giving up the fight, ran the ball from a scrum managing to score out wide, 21-50.
It was Nailsea who had the final action of the half when Number 8, Luke Caswell, who had carried brilliantly throughout, picked up from the base of a scrum to go over with an unstoppable drive. Elswood adding the conversion to make the final score 21- 57 to Nailsea.
The Nailsea boys continue their rich vein of form, seemingly at home or away. Now lying fourth in the league, Nailsea look forward to competing with the top echelon teams. Next week sees Minehead Barbarians visit the West End ground, KO 3pm.
Nailsea scorers - Alex Jones (2), Ryan Barrow (2), Harrison Gould, Harry Marshall, Pen Try, Ryan Love, Luke Caswell. Conversions Jamie Elswood (4)
