Sat 21 Sep 2024, 15:00
Bridgnorth travelled to their Oxfordshire rivals fresh from their
fifty-point victory the week before. The ‘blazer party’ were royally
wined and dined by their hosts, a particular thank you to their
president Monty for the hospitality. The majority of the pre-match
conversation centred on whether the match would be a case of the
Banbury backs against the Bridgnorth forwards, and as the weather
improved, the outlook seemed to favour the home side.
Banbury kicked the game off and after a good Bridgnorth exit, the home
side put together some promising phases. Ben Morris at prop suffered
an early head injury, although he stayed on the pitch initially. The
hosts continued to attack and they scored the opening converted try
when their right winger looped around his fly-half from the blind-side
and cut an excellent angle through the Bridgnorth defence to score
under the posts.
The away side restarted and very good tackling bundled the home side’s
dangerous full-back into touch. Ben Morris then succumbed to his
injuries and was replaced by Jacob Tomkinson. The scrum continued to
go well for Bridgnorth and after better attacking play they earned a
penalty after a high tackle on Ed Taylor. The ball was kicked for a
twenty-metre lineout and after a good drive by George Newman, Loti
Molitika drove over for the try converted by Elliot Murphy.
Bridgnorth gathered the restart but then the referee penalised the
away side for allegedly ‘failing to use the ball’ from the maul.
Bridgnorth regained the advantage after the next scrum and kicked for
another attacking lineout but the ball was lost on this occasion.
Things went from bad to worse for the away side as Banbury scored a
breakout team try with excellent passing and support play; the ball
was touched down for a converted try by their scrum-half.
Bridgnorth were struggling to get the ball moving in the backs and had
to resort to kicking for territory, some of the punts were poorly
directed however and after another loose kick, the ball was ran back
by the Banbury fly-half and elusive running by the experienced number
ten saw him ground the ball near the posts for another converted try.
The Bridgnorth lineout, missing their lineout captain Connor Nicholls,
was not firing on all cylinders. The away side kept attacking but
Banbury were punishing them for a lack of control and won successive
turnovers. Another wide kick from Bridgnorth was well returned again
by the home side's slick backs and Gareth Bladen playing in the
centres was exposed in the middle of the park as Banbury scored their
fourth converted try of the afternoon (securing them a first-half
bonus point) and making the score 28-7. The first half ended with
Bridgnorth on the attack but the referee ruling they had collapsed the
driving maul.
The second-half started with the home side on the attack but a forward
pass brought the play back. Bridgnorth now began to establish a
foothold in the game and Benji Ritson put in a good break supported by
Adam Ellis, the away side earned a penalty and kicked for a five-metre
lineout, unfortunately another disconnect at the lineout gave the home
side the scrum. Bridgnorth were now playing with renewed confidence
and good wide play from Adam Ellis and Morgan French ended with the
ball coming to George Newman and he crossed for an unconverted try.
Bridgnorth continued to attack but Ollie Neill found himself isolated
in the middle and the ball was turned over. Luke Brough then returned
the ball well and the Banbury open side flanker received a yellow card
for a high tackle. Bridgnorth kicked for a seven-metre lineout,
however the ball was underthrown. Huw Taylor came on to join his
brother Ed in the second row and his driving play gave the away side
some much needed ‘go forward.’
Ollie Neill then made a great break and raced towards the opposition
line, the defence caught up with him however, and he failed to find
Benji Ritson in support. Bridgnorth had the ensuing scrum and after
strong forward play, George Newman crashed over for his second try
converted by Elliot Murphy. The away side continued to press forward
and Luke Brough took the ball forward before he was bundled into
touch.
Bridgnorth’s defence was now functioning to a high standard and Loti
Molitika earned the away side a penalty after a superb turnover. The
home support grew increasingly worried as Bridgnorth continued to
advance and the penalty count against Banbury was growing. Jack Cole
and Jordan Burgess put together a strong break and after winning the
fifteen-metre lineout, Adam Ellis took the ball forwards. The away
side were jubilant as Loti Molitika smashed over for his second try,
converted by Murphy to make the score 28-26. (This also gave
Bridgnorth the four-try bonus point.)
Nerves were jangling on both sides now as the Banbury restart was
kicked dead and the play was brought back for a scrum on halfway.
Banbury were not going to let their narrow lead be overtaken easily
however and they continued to stretch the play wide in attack and
force turnovers in defence. Manny Volaikisuva had come on in the backs
and his fresh legs put fresh impetus into Bridgnorth’s play. The away
side had the next scrum but the referee penalised Bridgnorth for not
driving straight and level. The referee also penalised both sides for
backchat as tensions rose towards the end of the game.
Bridgnorth had a twenty-two-metre lineout and were looking to earn at
least the three points to secure a comeback victory. It was not to be,
however, as Banbury turned over the ball at the last ruck and the
referee blew for full-time. Final score 28-26.
This was indeed ‘a game of two halves.’ Congratulations to Banbury for
their victory. Enormous credit must go to Bridgnorth for coming back
from twenty-one points down to almost take the win. As it was, they
had to settle for two bonus points (losing and four-tries.) Captain
Jonah Boyce led his troops superbly and he will look forward to a home
game next weekend against Syston. The Leicestershire side secured a
bonus point victory over Dudley Kingswinford on Saturday and so
another hard game is in prospect. The support after the ex-players
lunch will be welcome.
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