Sat 14 Oct 2023
Bridgnorth travelled to Stourton Park to play Stourbridge in a league game for the first time, the home club which had been an aspirational destination for Bridgnorth players in the past now finding themselves in the same league as their Shropshire neighbours. The visiting guests were warmly greeted by the home alickadoos and enjoyed their lunch of pie, mash & peas, it was also a pleasure to read a very well put together programme. Bridgnorth needed to up their game after their previous home defeat and they certainly did that on Stourbridge’s artificial surface. Stourbridge received the kick off and put some good phases together before a knock-on allowed Bridgnorth number eight Adam Ellis to intercept the loose ball and break several tackles with a strong run for an unconverted try in the game’s opening minutes.
Stourbridge roared straight back and a missed tackle on the stand side of the pitch allowed the away side to pour forward, they kicked a penalty for a five-metre lineout but great defence on the line by the away side turned the ball over. After a not straight lineout and the game’s first scrum earning a penalty to Bridgnorth the away side was back in the Stourbridge half. Bridgnorth opened up their game and after good carries by the forwards, Elliot Murphy threw a long pass wide, it was intercepted by the Stourbridge fly-half Mike Penn however and he passed the ball on for the home side to just ground the ball for an unconverted try. The home side continued their good play from the restart and after Callum Madden conceded a penalty for a high tackle, the home full-back ran through the away side defensive line unchallenged for a converted try.
Bridgnorth responded well and after winning a penalty at the restart, the away side kicked for a seven-metre lineout. The away side carried for several phases before Elliot Murphy put in a well-timed pass for left wing James Barham who looped round for an excellent try, well converted by Murphy to level the scores. Bridgnorth scored the games next try, with the away side scrum increasingly dominant and securing regular penalties, the forwards were on the front foot with back row Loti Molitika leading the way in carries. The ball came to right wing Luke Brough who went over for a great score in the corner, very well converted by Murphy.
Stourbridge knocked the ball on at the restart and after another scrum penalty the away side set up a good drive from the lineout, the away side front-row (TJ) joined from an illegal position and received a yellow card. Another catch and drive from the ensuing lineout saw Luis Evitt ground the ball for a converted try and first half bonus point for Bridgnorth. The first half continued with good play by both sides, Bridgnorth could have taken a three-point penalty at the end of the first half but kicked for touch instead. Unfortunately, the lineout went awry and the half-time whistle blew with the score 12-26.
The second half started well for Bridgnorth, with the penalty count rising against the home side, Murphy kicked a penalty to extend the away side’s lead. Stourbridge hit straight back and with their outside backs exerting a strong influence on the game, their right wing scored an unconverted try after good work by the Stourbridge full-back Sam Vaughan (Dudley Kingswinford’s top scorer the previous season.) The away side continued to press forward and their right wing scored another unconverted try after Bridgnorth second-row Callum Madden was yellow carded. Bridgnorth survived the yellow card period as both teams cancelled each other out in attack & defence. It was in this period that the game went to uncontested scrums with much discussion about this on the touchline between the two opposing directors of rugby. The pace and standard of play on the pitch was unrelenting as both sides fought for the victory. Bridgnorth continued to play a much-improved game from recent performances.
As the game neared its conclusion, the Stourbridge left-wing received the ball and showed great pace to race in for a converted try and level the scores. Perhaps a draw would have been a fair result, but this was not to be as Bridgnorth conceded a late penalty in their own half and Vaughan stepped forward to confidently strike the three points and secure the home win to the delight of the Stourbridge players and supporters.
Bridgnorth’s players and supporters could hold their heads high and they took a deserved two bonus points away from the game. The Bridgnorth play was much improved and they conceded far fewer turnover penalties than on previous occasions. If the referee had interpreted the scrum penalties and uncontested situation in an alternative way, the result may have been different. Bridgnorth must now rally again for the visit of the league leaders Oxford Harlequins who bring their 100% record to the EDG next week.
MATCH PHOTOS TAKEN BY ROBERT NICHOLLS - (BRFC FACEBOOK PAGE) - CLICK HERE!
