Rugby’s first ever game in national 3 south was a scrappy affair, and the visitor’s claimed a deserved victory, outscoring the Lions three tries to one.

Mistakes were plentiful, and Bridgewater were first on the scoreboard with two early penalties converted by Luke Cozens. Rugby responded well and scored a lovely try, which was initiated by Matt Goode in his own 22. He linked with Michael Rust and Jack Green who was stopped on the visitor’s 22 in front of the clubhouse. The ball was quickly shipped out to the left wing, and with the referee playing a good advantage for at least six offside defenders, Lloyd Warner touched down in the corner. Matt Goode failed with the conversion attempt. He made amends however with a penalty on 30 minutes to put the Lion’s in the lead for the first time. A lead they held on to until half time. This was despite losing Karl Braband to the sin bin for over-zealous use of the boot.

If the new laws were meant to create more space on the field, it certainly did not work in this match, and the official’s liberal interpretation of the offside law did not help.

Eight minutes into the second half, Bridgewater’s centre Louis Messer was allowed to run through unchallenged to score a try near the posts, which Cozens converted. Rugby were back in front six minutes later after Matt Goode slotted two more penalties. Just before the hour mark, Cozens chipped ahead on Rugby’s 22. Realising the kick had gone over the dead ball line he ran into his opposite in rather theatrical fashion to claim the penalty which restored the visitor’s lead.

Matt Goode then converted a monster penalty from inside his own half to give Lion’s a slender 17-16 advantage.

More uncharacteristically poor defence allowed Cozens through to feed Purcell for a simple converted try under the posts. Matt Goode then slotted another penalty kick from 50 metres to narrow the gap before missing another from a much easier position. Bridgewater stole a Lion’s lineout and Elisara broke through to allow fullback Osborne to crash over in front of the clubhouse. The conversion was missed to leave the score at 20-28,