Sat 9 Sep 2023
Bridgnorth travelled to Leicestershire to play Syston for their first away game of the season. The travelling supporters were warmly greeted by club president Richard Smithard and enjoyed a buffet lunch with a fine pork pie which was fitting given the proximity to Melton Mowbray. Bridgnorth started the game with several changes to the previous week’s team due to a combination of factors including wedding commitments and the ‘Maul Together’ cycle ride to Paris. On a blisteringly hot day for rugby with the sun beating down and the supporters seeking the shade it was clear this would be a demanding game under the conditions and with the quality of the opposition.
Bridgnorth started the game well attacking the club house end, a penalty kick gave the away side an attacking ten metre lineout but unfortunately the lineout was lost. Bridgnorth continued to apply pressure and after a good attack by Connor Nicholls, the away side earned another penalty which was kicked for three points by Elliot Murphy.
Syston then applied their own pressure and unfortunately Bridgnorth lost Nicholls to a knee patella injury, luckily Cal Bradbury was able to come off the bench as an able replacement. The first scrum (with young Jacob Tomkinson at prop for his first senior league start) resulted in a penalty to Bridgnorth but unfortunately the lineout was again lost. Tomkinson then received a yellow card and had ten minutes in the bin. Syston continued to attack and miscommunication in defence allowed their fly-half to run through the Bridgnorth team unchallenged for a converted try. Syston continued to attack and crisp passing from their backs meant Bridgnorth had to rely on some scramble defence in the backs to stay in the game.
Bridgnorth then lost hooker Nick Selway to injury and with Tomkinson in the bin, the away side had to bring centre Ollie Neal into the forwards at scrum time. Both sides then enjoyed good attacking play but it was Syston who scored next with their number eight showing a real turn of pace to break through for a converted try.
Syston were themselves reduced to fourteen players after Loti Molitika forced a penalty ‘locked-on’ to the ball at the Syston breakdown. Bridgnorth kicked to the corner and set a good driving maul towards the home side’s line. The drive collapsed and Syston were awarded the scrum much to the Bridgnorth supporters’ bewilderment. Bridgnorth continued to attack and scored two good tries in the latter stages of the first half. The first, an excellent solo try by wing Jordan Burgess, who handed off his opposite number and then beat two more defenders to score. The second came when Luis Evitt made a great break through a ruck and the ball was taken on by wing Dan Brough, replacement back-row James Fisher-Jones supported and scored the try converted by Murphy. The half-time whistle blew with the score 14-15 and Bridgnorth having responded well to the Syston attacks.
The second half started with Syston continuing their good attacking play. They exerted tremendous pressure on the Bridgnorth line but good defence by the away side meant they twice held the ball up over the line. Syston earned several penalties and after failing to convert attacking lineouts they took the three points to regain the lead. Both sides now had good phases of play but Syston extended their lead with another penalty kick. Bridgnorth showed flashes of attack particularly in the backs but a lack of support or a handling error meant these attacks were not sustained.
The game developed into a lineout battle and the home side gained the upper hand as Bridgnorth continued to shuffle their forward pack. Evitt was sent to the bin before Syston scored a converted try to take the score out to 27-15. Fisher-Jones was also sent to the bin as Bridgnorth were reduced to thirteen men and the scrums went uncontested. Bridgnorth dug deep and with Gareth Bladen on as replacement scrum-half, they dragged themselves back into the game. An attacking lineout saw multiple drives towards the Syston line before Bladen went over for a converted try with the last play of the game. The final score being 27-22 and Bridgnorth taking a losing bonus point.
Congratulations must go to Syston for their deserved victory, their quick back-row forwards and skilled handling game means they will be a handful for many sides this season. Bridgnorth showed characteristic spirit to never give up in the game. Next week sees Bromsgrove travel to the Edgar Davies Ground. With Simon Pennington organising the lunch for ex-players, there should be a strong and vocal home support.
