Sat 2 Dec 2023, 14:15
Bridgnorth travelled to the unexpected game at Kenilworth, surprised that it was not frozen off in the conditions. The travelling supporters were warmly greeted by Johnny & Paul in the clubhouse which had a welcome fire burning. The lunch of chilli con carne was enjoyed by your correspondent and Liz plus the late inclusion of the two Johns who all enjoyed the hospitality on offer.
The supporters wrapped up warm to watch the first half (except Chair Kaz and Steve who chose to watch the first half from the clubhouse.) The game started with Kenilworth going through good phases and then one of their dangerous second rows broke through on a good angle, with an inside pass to his support players the home side scored the game’s opening converted try in what looked like an ominous start.
Bridgnorth got into the game from the restart and after the game’s first scrum the ball came to Matt Needham playing at centre who kicked through towards the opposition line, the opportunity seemed to have been wasted as the ball rolled into the in-goal area but this was to underestimate the electric pace of fullback Jack Cole who raced past the defence to touch down for an unconverted try.
The scoring continued apace with the home side again showing excellent attacking patterns and ball retention to score their next converted try, despite good tackling by Cole and Luis Evitt. The away side were then penalised at the scrum but the kick missed touch and the away side returned the ball to good effect. After another lineout, Evitt made a good half-break and offloaded to number eight Connor Nicholls who showed good pace to score an unconverted try. Bridgnorth kept up their intensity from the restart and after a Kenilworth player was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, Needham kicked the three points to make the score 14-13.
The Bridgnorth offensive continued from the restart and after winning a turnover, the ball went through several pairs of hands before George Newman scored his first try, converted by Needham. The seesaw style first-half meant it was Kenilworth’s turn to score next as they scored an unconverted try out wide on the left after some missed tackles in the Bridgnorth defence.
Bridgnorth responded well and good carries by Cole and Joe Cave kept them on the front foot. Unfortunately, a knock-on stopped the momentum and then the home side took a penalty and ran through towards the opposition line with their dangerous second row again to the fore. It took a try-saving intervention by James Barham to hold the ball up over the line and the referee blew for half-time with the score 19-20.
The second half started with good play from both sides, Bridgnorth were penalised for coming in at the side and the impressive Kenilworth kicker took the three points to restore their lead. They then took advantage from a sliced kick by Elliot Murphy to advance from a ten-metre lineout, good defence by the away side kept them out however.
Bridgnorth battled their way back into the Kenilworth half, a scrum penalty saw a quick tap taken by Gareth Bladen which led to another penalty which was kicked for the five-metre lineout. A series of phases ended with Murphy running through to score a converted try. The restart was well contested by both sides, but good phases by the away side allowed Luke Brough to show great pace and leg strength to burst through the home defence for a converted try.
The home side weren’t about to roll over and when their pack had a lineout near the away side line the rolling maul had to be illegally stopped. The referee awarded a penalty try and sent Connor Nicholls to the sin-bin. Bridgnorth did not let the man disadvantage hinder their intent as they scored two unconverted tries during the ten minutes, the first was another good flowing move which ended with Newman running out wide to the left to score his second try, the second try was a familiar forward drive which ended with a captain’s try for Jonah Boyce.
Kenilworth’s declining fortunes were compounded when their restart did not go the required ten-metres. Bridgnorth took advantage from the scrum with more overall good play. In the dying stages of the game the home side tried to launch one last attack, the ball was well turned over by Manny Volaikisuva and then taken on with characteristic strong running from James Barham. The ball was well transferred across the pitch and with accurate long passing by Needham the ball found its way to debutant winger Luca Justice, the young man showed pacy, evasive running to fly through the home defence and touch down under the posts to the delight of his teammates. The final whistle went after the conversion by Needham with the score 29-51.
This was one of, and perhaps the best performance of Bridgnorth’s season. It was certainly their most cohesive display as the forwards and backs combined well to keep the ball moving forward. Bridgnorth have now completed the ‘first half’ of their league campaign and if they can defeat close rivals Syston and Bromsgrove before Christmas it gives them a real opportunity to progress up the table in 2024.
