Sat 27 Jan 2024
Bridgnorth welcomed Stourbridge RFC to the Edgar Davies Ground for the return fixture after their close encounter at Stourton Park in October. The home supporters and a good number of Stourbridge visitors enjoyed an excellent Burns lunch in the marquee before the game. Adj Mackay’s “Address to a Haggis” and the accompanying piper made for a special occasion enjoyed by all. Bridgnorth came in to the game after their heavy defeat at Burton but the local rivalry and home advantage meant they were well up for the challenge.
Stourbridge received the ball from the kick off and started the game brightly, before full-back Jack Cole returned the ball well and scrum-half Gareth Bladen dummied his way through for a good Bridgnorth attack which ended with a knock-on. The home side had the upper hand in the early scrums and after a penalty, returning fly-half Elliot Murphy sent a long pass out to left-wing Jordan Burgess who raced in to the corner for the game’s opening try, (unconverted.) Stourbridge responded immediately and after several phases, their strong running inside-centre (who broke through the first tackle for almost the whole game) went through two tackles to off-load to his left-wing who crossed in the corner to level the scores.
After competing well for the restart, the home side were awarded successive penalties which they kicked for lineouts. After the second lineout from ten-metres, the away side were again penalised and Murphy lined up to kick to the corner, however, he cleverly dummied the punt and took a quick tap to launch another attack. The ball was well taken on by prop George Newman before flanker Callum Bradbury forced his way over for a converted try. Bridgnorth kept up the intensity from the restart and Murphy took the ball on before good carries by full-back Jack Cole and right-wing James Barham gave the home side excellent momentum. The ball again came to Bradbury who showed rare speed to crash over for his second try (again converted by Murphy.)
Bridgnorth again competed well at the restart but number-eight Connor Nicholls was penalised for holding on to the ball, Stourbridge kicked for a ten-metre lineout and their attack again looked threatening until their inside-centre knocked the ball on. Unfortunately, Bridgnorth were then penalised for a high-tackle and the away side took the three points on offer. The away side then kept up their attacking intent for the remainder of the first-half, a series of quick tap penalties drew great defence from the home side as they did not allow Stourbridge to score. Hooker Luis Evitt again leading the way in defence, ably supported by his teammates. One attack was held up for a turnover scrum and the first half ended with a Stourbridge attack being held up over the line, this allowed Murphy to put in a good clearance and the away side player who caught the ball was bundled into touch. The half-time score was 19-8.
Bridgnorth had played an excellent half of rugby but they would have been well aware of the task ahead of them - especially after having held a half-time lead of 12-26 at the reverse fixture. This was underlined as Stourbridge reclaimed their kick-off and after phases of play, they kicked another penalty to narrow the gap to eight points. The home side stuck to their task, but as the scrums became more even, Bladen and Nicholls were not enjoying the ‘exits’ they had performed earlier in the match. Stourbridge pressed down the right wing and then broke through for an unconverted try in the corner.
The second half developed into a pattern of Stourbridge attack countered by dogged Bridgnorth defence, the game was only interrupted by treatment to several Stourbridge players. The next Stourbridge attack looked certain to yield another try for the away side before Cole produced another inspired moment (as he had done at Bromsgrove) to dislodge the ball from the player when he was over the line. When the home side were awarded a free kick in their twenty-two there seemed to be some confusion over the best option and the ball ended being kicked to the dangerous Stourbridge left-winger. He made a devastating break through the home defence before firing out a wide-pass for his team-mate to score another unconverted try in the right corner. This gave the away side the lead for the first time in the match.
Stourbridge continued to impose their game on the home side and when they awarded another penalty, they looked to be taking another three points. The kick went wide however, and as the away side again attacked following the twenty-two drop-out, there then followed the crucial turning point of the match. Burgess intercepted the ball in his own half and raced away from the Stourbridge defence to score the home side’s fourth bonus-point try, converted by Murphy. This made the score 26-21.
This was the end of the scoring in the match, more ‘Tenacious D’ followed by Bridgnorth as they managed the ball well for the rest of the game. When Bladen was given the nod by the ref that it was the last play, he gratefully booted the ball off the pitch for a famous victory at the EDG. Credit must go to the away side for their performance and taking the losing bonus point but the rewards had to go to the home side for their bonus point win. All the players left everything on the park and they and the coaches must take enormous credit for this win.
Bridgnorth are again in action next Saturday as they travel to league leaders Oxford Quins, the Oxford club will be looking for revenge after their only defeat of the season at the EDG in October. There may be places on the bus available for supporters. Look out for the socials for more information.
Match Photos by Robert Nicholls (BRFC FACEBOOK PAGE): CLICK HERE!
Match Photos by Dave Cooper (BRFC FACEBOOK PAGE): CLICK HERE!
