Sat 14 Sep 2024
Bridgnorth welcomed Silhillians to the Edgar Davies Ground after a few
years break of fixtures between the clubs. The newly promoted visitors
had had a strong start to their season against Kenilworth the previous
week and so the home side were taking nothing for granted. A good
turnout for the Vice-Presidents lunch swelled the home support.
Bridgnorth kicked the game off and were soon looking to move the ball
through the hands to the outside backs, the ball was intercepted
however and Silhillians earned an early penalty which they kicked to
the corner, eagle eyed touch-judge Davin ‘Bean’ Ellis judged the kick
had gone the wrong side of the corner flag however and the home side
had a scrum back on their ten-metre line.
After a strong run by Jordan Burgess, Bridgnorth had a penalty for a
high tackle and they kicked for a twenty-metre lineout. The home side
failed to take this opportunity but kept attacking, with Burgess
enjoying more space on the wing than the previous weekend. Penalties
were being given against both sides which was breaking up the game.
After another Burgess break, the ball came to Jonah Boyce who took the
ball on before the ball was chucked away by Silhillians and they
received a yellow card and Bridgnorth kicked for a five-metre lineout,
the driving maul collapsed however and Silhillians had the scrum. Good
defence by the home side kept the away side near their line and
Bridgnorth had a five-metre scrum, a good drive and control by Connor
Nicholls saw the number eight power over the line for the game’s
opening score, the try was converted by Elliot Murphy.
After the Silhillians restart went dead, Bridgnorth had a scrum on the
half-way line, the Bridgnorth scrum was penalised however when it
looked as though the opposition front-row were not bound correctly.
More good Bridgnorth play followed, with strong carries by Nicholls,
Boyce (again), Jack Cole and Ed Taylor. Another high-tackle penalty
gave Bridgnorth a twenty-metre lineout, after another good carry and
offload by Boyce, the ball came to Loti Molitika who crashed over for
the second try, converted by Murphy.
The restart came to Jack Cole at fullback who made a great catch to
trigger a break-out, touch-judge Ellis however ruled that Burgess’s
foot had hit the touchline and play was brought back for the lineout.
Silhillians had possession but a turnover jackal by Elliot Murphy
halted the attack. Silhillians were struggling to mount a sustained
challenge which was not helped by wayward lineout throwing and
conceding penalties for high tackles. A jinking break by scrum-half
Benji Ritson ended with another high tackle and Bridgnorth had a
lineout in the opposition half.
Excellent running by Murphy and Luke Brough was carried on with a
series of ‘pick & drives’ by the forwards, Cole and Burgess then
carried on the attack before the ball came to Luke Brough who touched
down for a very well worked try in the right-hand corner. Silhillians
restarted with a hanging kick which the referee judged Bridgnorth had
knocked-on. The referee then penalised the home side’s scrum and the
away side took the three points on offer. The first half ended 19-3.
Bridgnorth started the second half with good attacking intent, after
several phases and good handling, Brough crossed for his second try
and the four try bonus point score. More good defence and attack
followed and the Silhillians scrum-half received a yellow card for a
late tackle. Jacob Tomkinson came on to refresh the front row as the
EDG was bathed in September sunshine.
A ten-metre lineout to Bridgnorth was backed up by a very well drilled
drive and George Newman grounded the ball for the try converted by
Murphy. Adam Ellis came on in the back row and the excellent
Bridgnorth defence was maintained. The home side continued to concede
penalties but Silhillians could not turn pressure into points as the
tenacious home defence held firm.
Bridgnorth were now playing with a high level of confidence and
ambition and it was Ed Taylor’s turn to launch an attack as he
rampaged up the field towards the road, the ball was well taken on by
Ritson, Cole and Newman before Morgan French crossed for an excellent
team try (converted by Murphy.)
Gareth Bladen came on at scrum-half and Ritson moved to fly-half.
Bridgnorth ran the ball from the restart and there was great handling
and running by Cole, Burgess and French before the ball was passed
inside to Bladen running a classic scrum-half support line and he
scored the try with possibly his second touch!
The scoring continued after the restart as Nicholls, Bladen and Brough
were involved before the ball came to Ollie Neill and he crossed for
what was apparently his first try for the first team (converted by
Will Biddell.) Silhillians did not stop competing and they almost
scored a try but Bridgnorth held the ball up over the line. The away
side kept the pressure up and earned several penalties before
Tomkinson received a yellow card. This gave Silhillians a lift and the
next penalty was kicked to the corner but it was again kicked to the
wrong side of the corner flag. When Bridgnorth were given the signal
it was the last play, the ball was gratefully kicked out for a
resounding victory of 50-3.
This was an excellent all-round performance by Bridgnorth and they can
hopefully carry this form with them on the bus to Banbury next week.
Silhillians stuck to their task but they were unable to play with the
same pressure and intensity as Dudley had brought to the game the
previous week. Congratulations to the Bridgnorth players and coaching
staff, the home crowd thoroughly enjoyed the quality of rugby played.
The next home game is the 28 September vs Syston.
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