Bridge returned to league action after a character-building fixture last time out at Brunel University full of resolve and aiming to notch up another win for their league campaign.

The game began with Bridge playing down the slope from left to right and the opening exchanges made it clear that the heavy pitch and rain immediately preceding the game would make it tough going.

It was Chess Valley who opened the scoring with a penalty plum in front of the sticks before Bridge returned fire after a period of intense pressure to open the scoring through Simon Coldwell. Elliot Wake added the extras from the tee.

Chess Valley then notched up their first score of the game as an errant pass got the bounce of the green (well brown mud) for the pacey back line to put some pressure on and score.

The second came soon after with Wake’s kicking from hand on the money work the ball down to the right-hand side ten metres out, before Simon Olliffe and Kyle Buckingham worked their magic in the lineout and allowed Tom Smith to borrow his way over to score. Again, Wake added the extras.

Bridge took a 14-10 lead into the break and came out looking for more tried up the hill. Despite various attempts Bridge found it hard to get into a rhythm and create any consistent phases from the breakdowns, turning over numerous penalties and good field position.

Chess Valley had spells of possession of their own but were thwarted by many in red, black, and white with notable efforts from John Poland, Kevin Thomas, Tom Rainey, and Simon Coldwell.

Bridge’s struggles were punctuated through two Wake place kicks 30 metres out on the left-hand side that superbly dissected the uprights to keep Bridge in front.

With the clock ticking away and the game becoming scrappier, Bridge finally managed to secure another through Dan Evans jinxing his way through the tiring Chess Valley line to score Bridge’s third of the day. Wake added the extra two and the referee signalled time.

In all, a day in which Bridge struggled but managed to secure the win. We have two weeks off now in the league before returning to action at home vs Watford in the penultimate league game of the season.