Bs had a score to settle after letting a win evade them on the away fixture at the start of the season. Whilst the warm up was quiet it did have a certain confidence about it with balls going to hand and plays being run well.

Kick off came and Bs received, Johnny Biggins with a hell of a take and a rumble to follow. Bristolians were very aware of the Richians game plan to hackle and slow down the breakdown and hit the first breakdown hard. This hard running and aggression at the breakdown was working well but with space behind the Richians defence Jack Price opted to kick to the space. The back line put huge pressure on the receivers and often pinned Richians in their own half who were left with no option but to kick the ball back. With the possession, go forward and territory the home team were able to open the score board with Jon Whiteman crossing the line, Price conversion missed.

Bs then seemed to get a little over excited with a few too many ambitious off loads leading to errors. These breaks in play didn’t seem to deter the home side too much with Simon Hunt going over, sadly, the conversion not.

With the game still being played in a loose manor frustrations began to grow and penalties crept into the game. The half continues in this manor with the visitors slowly picking up points but Bristolians staying on top bagging 25 points before the whistle. These came curtesy of try’s form Doug Roberts and George Hazell as-well as a penalty and conversion from Jack Price.

Half time - 25 - 19

The second half started and Old Richians scored early. With their tails up a momentum change looked likely. However Old Bs had different ideas and brought on their impact bench with Paffet, Willacy and Campbell coming on to replace Morgan, Roberts and O Hazell. They were given there opportunity to help steady the game when a touch finder penalty from Price yielded an attacking lineout 10 meters from the opposition line. A well set driving maul allowed Joe Willacy to touch down.

Two more try’s came unanswered from Hunt and G Hazell. The visitors looked determined to raked something from the game and managed to secure a try bonus. However Bristolians wanted the last say and George Hazell wanted a hat trick, Price also taking the extras.

Final result - 52 - 29

BOP - Jon Whiteman for his unusually high work rate at the breakdown.

2nd XV

The 2nd XV were keen to avenge their narrow lose earlier in the season (here’s looking at you Brid). After a turnover of kickoff and some well worked phases Matt Edgar went over within three minutes. However Avonmouth produced a similar try after OBs failed to deal with the kick off. OBs went up the other end and scored through Edgar, with Avonmouth finding the line quickly afterwards after a poor kick chase. OBs finished the second half strongly with tries from George Morgan and Oli Higgs after the opposition were reduced to 14 after a cynical trip....

Half time - 26 - 10

Despite the wind behind their backs in the 2nd half, OBs started poorly and gave away a number of cheap penalties resulting in Avonmouth getting over the line. After some strong kicking out of hand pinning the opposition back, OBs worked well to score two more tries through Magnus and Coughlan to close the game out.

Final result - 36 - 15

Very good result against a good Avonmouth side who brought plenty of aggression and physically. OBs controlled the game well and the result was never in doubt.

BOG - Matt Edgar for running over numerous players and scoring as well.

3rd XV

Hugely important match against the ever physical Avonmouth for the 3rd XV this weekend. Started well with a strong warm up and a surprisingly chirpy and talkative dressing room! The game began with the usual intensity and quick start expected with the ‘Gorman Ball’ style of rugby played in the latter half of this season.
Watkins ran circles around the Avonmouth back three on his first game of the calendar year and was rewarded significantly with two tries in quick succession. Gio pounced off an otherwise uncharacteristically stuttering OBs line out to go over for his 4th try of the season and the rest of the half followed a positive OBs blue print.

Half time - 0 - 19

A few minutes of intensity dropping led to an Avonmouth try after half time. OBs game control and intensity soon came back and was rewarded by scores from Ted, Asbel and Watkins’ in for his third (duly paying his jug fee post match).

Final result - 7 - 38

A great result. 8 league games now won on the trot and momentum fully behind us. Home against Yate Saturday 9th March.

BOG - Tom Watkins. Hard to decide as most of the team had a barnstormer of a game but a hatrick and not having to be prompted to pay up with a jug steals it.

Ladies XV

The ladies played always this weekend in the darkest depths of Weston Super-Mare. Hoping to continue after a big win against Thornbury Ladies last weekend the Hornettes posed a different threat all together.

Sitting 2 league places higher than OBs you be forgiven to think that Hornettes would have the better start but thankfully that was not the case. Winger Holly Washington went over not once, but twice in the opening 20 minutes and OBs didn’t look like slowing down anytime soon with fullback Amalia Westerlund dotting down not soon after and Number 8 Lucy Stone following up with the 2 points. Hornettes scores just before the break but that couldn’t dampen a great OBs first half.

Half time - 5 - 17

The second half however didn’t follow the script. A frantic 20 minute spell after half time saw OBs undo their great start and somehow end up 2 points behind with the score at 24-22 to the Hornettes, even with Holly completing her hatrick! Setting the game up for a great final few moments. Time for a straight quote from Evelyn:
‘It was the last play of the game. 2 points behind. We got a penalty in our 5 metres Lucy took a tap and go, went into beast mode to break through 5 defenders making it to the half way line before being brought down by one of many high tackles of the day. Another quick tap penalty, quick phase off the penalty in OBs favour got the ball out to Amalia who wasn’t letting the oppo touch her and she scored in the corner for OBs to steal the game in the final play!’

Final Result - 24 - 27

A last second win to give the ladies their second win on the trot. Plenty of defence to work on but pure determination and grit got the Ladies across the line (literally) on the day!

BOP - Holly Washington & Amalia Westerlund for scoring all 5 of their try’s with pure unadulterated pace.