Gordon League got their Counties 1 Western North season up and running with a thrilling 26-22 win at home to Bridgwater & Albion on Saturday.

A last-gasp try by centre Liam Thomas secured their first victory of the campaign at the sixth attempt and they will be looking to kick on in the next few weeks.

They travel to Old Bristolians, who have lost four of their opening six league games, a week on Saturday, and after hosting mid-table Clifton 2nds a week later, travel to Chosen Hill on Saturday 6^th December.

Chosen Hill have lost six out of six and are the only side below Gordon League in the 12-strong table.

Gordon League defeated Chosen Hill 36-26 in the Community Cup at the end of last month and long-serving club official Alan Kingscote, a former first-team manager, said: “Saturday’s win made it two in a row, it was much-needed.”

Wing Kaian Buhagiar scored two of their tries after second row Ryan Stephens had opened the scoring for the home side.

Craig Holder slotted three conversions but the home side had to dig deep after Bridgwater made a fast start and led 17-12 at the break.

This is Gordon League’s second season in the division after winning promotion via a play-off victory against Bream at the end of 2023/24.

They finished ninth last season and Kingscote said: “It’s a very difficult league, there are so many 2^nd teams in it whose 1st teams are semi-professional.

“Many of their 2^nd team players are aspiring to play at a much higher level. Dings Crusaders 2nds hammered us a few weeks ago, their first 1^st XV play in National League 1.”

Dings 2nds are top of the table after winning all six of their games – they’ve scored 336 points and beat Gordon League 87-24 – and as well as Dings and Clifton, the 2^nd XVs of Taunton and Old Redcliffians also complete in the division.

“The aim this season is to consolidate, we want to try to stay in the division,” added Kingscote.