Sat 13 Apr 2024
Bridgnorth welcomed their visitors from West Yorkshire to the EDG for a match in the RFU Papa Johns cup competition. Bridgnorth hosted the travelling supporters (who had accompanied the players on the bus) to lunch in the marquee as the new clubhouse continues to near completion. Bridgnorth made several changes to their squad and included several “Bulls” players as a squad of 22 was allowed for the cup. Touch judge Liz Rochelle was also relegated to the sidelines as a refereeing team of three was deployed for the game.
Congratulations to Dan Adams, Damian Ewbank, George Harris, Bruce Robinson and Alex Hill for their first team debuts. They were joined in the first team squad by Stu ‘Truffler’ Edwards, Ferg Anderson and James Chattoe from the Bulls. Also making irregular appearances were Adam ‘Big Dog’ Stirling, James Williamson and Jacob Tomkinson with Dan Griffiths also on the bench. These combined changes meant this was always going to be a ‘big ask’ for the team against their visitors who had finished second in their league. Bridgnorth started the game very well and a good break on the left wing by Dan Adams allowed the winger to show his pace.
Heath earned a penalty and demonstrated the confident, expansive game they had to come to play as they took a quick tap penalty and ran the ball wide. Bridgnorth repelled this attack but Heath quickly scored a good converted try on the right wing. Bridgnorth responded well and when Jack Cole was tripped in attack, Benji Ritson converted the three-point penalty. The Bridgnorth scrum (with unfamiliar combinations) was also holding up well against their powerful opponents. The quality Heath attack earned them their own three-point penalty and then after relentless pressure they scored another converted try. The wind started to favour Bridgnorth, playing towards the road but a Cole clearance rolled over the dead-ball line for a scrum back. This was countered by a drop-out 22m kick by Ritson which rolled into the opposition 22 and into touch for a ‘50:22’ kick. Unfortunate head injuries to Adams and Matt Needham saw them leave the field and Heath scored another try. Bridgnorth played their part in the half and good interplay saw them attacking as the half-time whistle went, with the score 3-24.
The second half didn’t start well for Bridgnorth as Heath reacted quicker to loose balls and their backs and forwards continued to combine well. The opposition front-row in particular showed handling and footwork that belied their stature. Heath scored two more converted tries and the scoreboard read 3-38. Bridgnorth stuck to their task and continued to keep playing their own brand of attacking rugby. A great drive by Adam Ellis took the play into the Heath 22m area. Further drives by Ellis and Loti Molitika took the ball on and George Newman scored Bridgnorth’s opening try (converted by Ritson) to the delight of the home support.
A reshuffle in the Bridgnorth backs meant Damian Ewbank came on for his debut at scrum-half and his distribution and general play kept his side going for the second-half. Loti was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle and the next Heath scrum cleverly wheeled towards where Loti would have been positioned and their scrum-half took the opportunity for another converted try. Heath then kicked their own ’50:22’ ball after the restart, but in a now swirling wind, the ball was well cleared by Ritson. A deliberate knock-on by Bridgnorth gave Heath an attacking fifteen-metre lineout but the attacking forward drive was held up over the line by the home side. Heath attacked from the drop-out and the next lineout saw them score another try (unconverted) to bring up the half-century of points.
Bridgnorth refused to lie down despite the scoreline and Jake Tomkinson took a quick tap penalty to set up a good attack. The ball came to Evan Watts in the centre and he showed great angles of running to slice through the Heath defence and score a brilliant try. The home supporters ‘banged the boards’ in encouragement. Bridgnorth (again with Watts to the fore) continued to attack as the game reached its conclusion, they finished the game strongly as the referee signalled the end of the match with the score 15-50.
All the Bridgnorth squad must be heartily congratulated for the spirit and skill they showed throughout the game. The players on show demonstrated there is great potential in the first team squad and the Bulls squad for next season. Congratulations must go to Heath for a fine display of running rugby and it will be interesting to see how far they can go in the competition.
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