Jamie's try for Nailsea & Backwell breaks Broad Plain hearts

SOMERSET LEAGUES:

Centenary-celebrating Broad Plain are still looking for a first Somerset One win of the season after suffering a heartbreaking 7-6 setback against Nailsea & Backwell.

Ollie Nowell's 30-metre penalty midway through the second half broke the deadlock in the gale-force conditions and put the dominant home side in front.

But, with eight minutes to go, Nailsea grabbed the lead thanks to a brilliant individual try from Jamie Sullivan, who beat a handful of defenders on a weaving 30-metre run under the posts. Sullivan added the conversion.

And although Nowell immediately reduced the deficit to a point with a second successful penalty, he was short with a tricky 25-metre effort from wide on the left as time ran out for Broad Plain.

Nailsea, who played with their shirts inside out because of a kit clash, showed great character, particularly in defence, for their fourth win of the campaign.

But the home side were left to reflect on what might have been after wasting several try-scoring chances and failing to turn territory and possession into points.

At the top of the table, Imperial made it eight from eight with an impressive 24-11 success away to second-placed rivals Gordano.

The home side, playing with the wind, turned around 6-0 ahead but Imperial made better use of the conditions, rattling up 24 points without reply.

There were tries from wing Nick Tow and No 8 James Hickery. Ross Hickery added one conversion and three penalties before Gordano claimed a late try.

Man-of-the-match was blindside John Gibbard, who came into the Imperial side at short notice and responded with a storming all-round performance.

In Somerset Premier, Bristol Harlequins also stretched their unbeaten run to eight outings with a 19-5 home triumph over bottom side St Bernadette's.

Touchdowns came from tighthead Dean Hucker and winger Rob Raby, while 17-year-old openside Daniel Gamblin claimed his first senior score. Chris Page kicked two conversions to cap a controlled Quins effort in the mud.

Chew Valley were always on the back foot after turning around 25 points behind playing into the wind at home to Midsomer Norton.

Jon Branch opened Chew's account with a penalty and added the conversions to two tries from hard working flanker Luke Sparkes-Brown as the home side came roaring back.

But, despite having chances to put the visitors under even more pressure, a lack of patience and composure proved costly in the final stages.