Sat 21 Oct 2023, 15:00
Bridgnorth welcomed Oxford Harlequins to the Edgar Davies Ground as the two sides met for the first time in their history. Oxford had won all their previous six games in the league this season and so Bridgnorth knew they were to face a stern test; however, the players and supporters were encouraged by their positive showing at Stourbridge the previous Saturday. There was also good support from the home crowd whose numbers were swelled by the Vice-Presidents and Sponsors lunch before the game.
Bridgnorth started the game well with good phases and Luis Evitt leading from the front, the first scrum resulted in a penalty to the home side and their attack continued from the lineout. Although possession was lost, a '50:22' kick kept Bridgnorth on the front foot, more good continuity saw the game's first try for Evitt, converted by Elliot Murphy. Bridgnorth continued to play with the intensity that perhaps had been missing on some occasions this season, an excellent counter-ruck a good example of this. Oxford started to get a foothold in the game but their unsuccessful goal kicking meant they could not turn pressure into points.
Bridgnorth's scrum was dominant, with the front five of Boyce, Evitt, Newman, Madden & Cave a fearsome proposition at the set-piece. However, the lineout was misfiring and with Newman throwing in, the tactic of throwing to the tail of the line to launch attacks was lacking the required accuracy. This was a problem also as the scrum resulted in penalties but the ensuing lineout from the touch kicks was turned over. However, Bridgnorth stuck to their task and when Oxford secured a ten-metre lineout, great home defence meant the ball was cleared from their half. Bridgnorth brought on Manny Volaikisuva and Ben Rochelle from the bench and more pressure gave Murphy a successful three-point penalty.
Oxford attacked well from the restart, a turnover penalty was kicked for a twenty-metre lineout and good handling in their backs allowed their centre to cross for an unconverted try after a nice offload from the fly-half. Bridgnorth responded and another scrum penalty was kicked for a ten-metre lineout. This time the ball was thrown to the front of the line and the home side showed very good passing and retention to move the ball towards their home support, from the next scrum, Loti Molitika picked up quick ball and drove over for the try, the kickable conversion was missed as the half-time whistle blew with the score 15-5.
Oxford started the second half well, a series of strong forward drives ended with them scoring another try. This time, their loosehead prop attempted the conversion but it was again missed. Both sides upped their game and the crowd was treated to a great game with good aggressive play by both teams, another scrum penalty to the home side was kicked for the lineout and the forwards drove the ball over the line with captain Jonah Boyce touching down for the converted try.
In this high scoring second half, Oxford scored next, a good break and handling saw them cross in the left-hand corner to bring them back to a seven-point gap with the score 22-15. The away side attacked from the restart and only a knock-on on the five-metre line denied them another try. The home side’s scrum allowed them to work their way up field, their cause was also helped when their away side were penalised for dipping into the tackle and then were marched back an extra ten-metres when they disputed the decision.
Bridgnorth then played some great rugby and were awarded a scrum near the opposition line, the away side were penalised numerous times as the home side repeatedly chose to scrum again from the penalty, this finally resulted in a penalty try for Bridgnorth and the try bonus point. The home side didn’t let their intensity drop and their pressure continued when Murphy gathered a kick and Oxford had to carry the ball over their own line. The inevitable forward pressure told from the attacking scrum as Evitt quickly picked the ball from a ruck and dived over the line for an unconverted try.
With the score now 34-15, Bridgnorth perhaps allowed their defence to lapse as Oxford scored two unconverted tries in the final stages of the match. The score at full-time was 34-25. Oxford secured the try bonus point but missed out on the losing bonus point.
Bridgnorth players and supporters were delighted with the result and performance and will hope to kick-on from this position as they play their next three fixtures against teams below them in the league. Although, as this result against the league leaders showed, any team can beat any other ‘on the day.’
