Sat 16 Mar 2024, 15:00
Bridgnorth travelled to their Potteries rivals with the conditions (both the pitch and the weather) better than could have been expected. The home team played down the slope in the first half and with the wind blowing across the pitch this was the only advantage. Both teams made a lively start to the game and exchanged penalties. Stoke showed their attacking intent breaking through with good support play and inter-passing which was to be the hallmark of their play for the whole match. Bridgnorth then launched their own attack but a pass was intercepted and Stoke raced away for a converted try.
Bridgnorth continued to push forwards but unfortunately dropped passes (which combined with knock-ons were to be a feature of their play for the match) limited their attacking threat. James Barham took the ball on strongly but was penalised for too many rolls on the floor, he then had to leave the field with a leg muscle injury, (replaced by Paddy Smallman.) Stoke then worked their way downfield and successive penalties gave them an attacking five-metre lineout. The forwards drove the ball over the line, but Bridgnorth held the ball up for a goal-line dropout. Stoke returned the ball and kicked ahead, unfortunately Bridgnorth fullback Jack Cole knocked the ball on in attempting to gather it and Stoke took advantage to score their second try.
Bridgnorth earned another penalty after the restart but unfortunately the kick to touch was missed (which was another regrettable feature of their game) and Stoke countered. Bridgnorth gradually exerted more pressure on the home defence and with the scrum advantage they earned another penalty for a fifteen-metre lineout. After several forward drives, George Newman forced his way over for Bridgnorth’s opening score. This lifted the away side and they attacked again (perhaps encouraged by the sight of the two Johns in hi-vis jackets behind the posts) however another missed penalty kick to touch ended this phase. Stoke then won their own lineout and their impressive number-eight broke through several attempted tackles to set up a rapid advance, more good support and interlinking play saw them cross for their third try.
Bridgnorth responded well and a penalty gave them an attacking ten-metre lineout, but again, the scoring opportunity ended with a knock-on by the away side. There then followed a dispiriting series of penalties against Bridgnorth, first Stoke won a scrum penalty, then a ‘swimming’ (changing the bind in the maul) penalty at the subsequent lineout and then after the five-metre lineout the referee awarded a penalty try for collapsing the maul and Connor Nicholls was sent to the sin-bin.
Bridgnorth were grateful to hear the half-time whistle with the score 24-5 and in need of a refresh in order to salvage something from the game. The second half got off to the worst possible start however as the Stoke number eight sold a dummy which was bought by the home defence and he charged up the slope before offloading to his teammates for Stoke’s fifth try. Bridgnorth managed to get some momentum going and with the lineout working well, Loti Molitika powered over the line to get the away side up to double figures. Adam Ellis sustained the play after the restart with some strong running to earn another penalty but the kick to touch was again missed. Bridgnorth then had another try attempt held up over the line and after the goal-line dropout by Stoke was gathered by Gareth Bladen, a general fight broke out. A player from each side was sent to the bin, Benji Ritson for the away side.
With Nicholls returning to the field, Bridgnorth stuck to their task and Luis Evitt made a great break and passed on to Bladen who crossed for the try, converted by Will Biddell (on as a replacement.) With the score 29-17, and having just scored their third try, Bridgnorth were hunting for the win and / or bonus points. Unfortunately, despite the set piece working well, the general play wasn’t quite gelling for the away side and they weren’t able to put together the fluid, cohesive rugby that they had been developing in recent games.
The game seesawed to and fro, and Bridgnorth continued to work hard, despite seeming to fall foul of the referee’s decisions with increasing regularity. The game ended with one of the Stoke forwards breaking through and running clear of the Bridgnorth defence to score a converted try. The referee blew for fulltime and the scoreboard read 36-17. This wasn’t a good day at the office for Bridgnorth. Take nothing away from Stoke, they played some really good rugby with some young players and fully deserved the bonus point win. Bridgnorth will have to regroup before next week’s home game against Kenilworth. The President’s Day lunch will swell the home support after being entertained by Nigel Owens and Derek Bevan.
MATCH PHOTOS TAKEN BY ROBERT NICHOLLS - BRFC FACEBOOK PAGE: CLICK HERE
