Sat 2 Sep 2023
Bridgnorth welcomed Banbury to the Edgar Davies Ground for the first time and with the fine weather and an immaculate playing surface, the healthy crowd (swelled by a wedding party) looked set to enjoy an entertaining game of rugby.
Banbury kicked the game off and regathered their own kick, however Bridgnorth secured a turnover penalty. Banbury again conceded a penalty from the resulting lineout and scrum-half Gareth Bladen took a quick tap to make good ground. Several strong drives by the home team ended with a knock-on. Bridgnorth disrupted the away side’s scrum and Loti Molitika pounced on the loose ball to score the game’s opening try after only five minutes, converted by Elliott Murphy.
Bridgnorth continued to attack well and the next phase of play was ended by an attempted interception from the Banbury centre. A penalty from the scrum was kicked to the corner and Adam Ellis (playing at flanker) scored the next converted try from the lineout. After a good ‘exit’ from the kick off, a fine break by Jordan Burgess was illegally halted and again, the penalty was kicked to the corner. This time, prop George Newman scored the converted try.
From the next phase of play, Newman, enjoying his afternoon, made a brilliant break but the ball was lost and Banbury with the excellent support play and inter-passing that was to be a hallmark of their play for the whole match, scored an unconverted try in the corner. Bridgnorth responded well and their attacking play continued after charging down an attempted Banbury clearance. The home side took the ball over the line but it was held up and Banbury cleared with a goal-line dropout. Another Burgess break was illegally halted and the ensuing five-metre lineout resulted in a converted try for back-row Luis Evitt. This gave Bridgnorth a first-half try bonus point.
A head jury to Connor Nicholls saw the number eight replaced by newcomer James Fisher-Jones. Banbury now got into the game and the home side conceded a series of penalties which resulted in an attacking five-metre lineout for the away side. The Banbury forwards scored the driving try and the conversion went ‘in-off’ the post. Bridgnorth giving away too many penalties as the half-time whistle went with the score 28-12.
Bridgnorth blasted out of the blocks as the second half started with great phases of play and Adam Ellis making good ground. The home side scored the resulting try through Ellis which was unconverted. Both sides continued to play well but the penalty count continued to rise against Bridgnorth. Jordan Burgess was sent to the sin-bin after a high tackle, Banbury took their opportunity and pressed home their advantage. A goal-line clearance by Bridgnorth (after Banbury had the ball held up over the line) was well returned by the away side’s talented full-back. His mazy run ended with a good off-load to a supporting back and the away side scored the converted try.
Bridgnorth responded with better play but again, their attack was halted by a turnover penalty. The home side continued to concede penalties, and this gave the opportunity for more elusive running by the Banbury backs. A Bridgnorth kick was then well returned by the away side’s backs for another converted try to make the score 33-26.
The kick off was knocked-on by Banbury and this put Bridgnorth on the attack. Good handling by the whole team ended with Luis Evitt (after a fine pick-up) scoring an unconverted try. Banbury bounced straight back and with characteristic good inside support scored a converted try to bring the scores close at 38-33.
Banbury again knocked on at the restart and the Bridgnorth pack drew a penalty from the scrum. The home side elected to kick at goal and Elliot Murphy kicked the three points to take the lead out to a significant eight points at 41-33. The fly-half featured in the next Bridgnorth attack with a fine catch and break which could have well led to a try. The attack was again halted by a turnover penalty against the home side. This pattern was repeated again after a great break by Adam Ellis ended with a turnover penalty. The final whistle blew with the result 41-33.
Bridgnorth’s forward power went a long way towards the victory, however Banbury could feel unlucky not to take more than one point from the game. Both sets of supporters enjoyed the afternoon and the sides will not meet again until the 6th April 2024 at Banbury. Bridgnorth will need to address the penalty count as they travel to Syston for the next game.
