Sat 12 Oct 2024, 15:00
MATCH REPORT
BRIDGNORTH vs NUNEATON SATURDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2024
3PM AT NUNEATON RFC
With 2 weeks rest since the last game, and with the frustrations of the opening month still in mind, Bridgnorth arrived at Nuneaton to face a team fresh from a convincing win away at Dudley Kingswinford in the last round.
The weather was dry, sunny and cool, with a fresh wind blowing down the length of the pitch to heavily favour each team in turn. Playing with the wind in the first half, Bridgnorth once again took time to “get going”, conceding 4 penalties in quick succession and allowing the home side to control early in the game. A try was conceded close to the posts, duly converted.
This sparked the team into action! By the time the half hour mark was up, Bridgnorth had gained a 4 try bonus point! Whilst the packs were evenly balanced in the scrum, Bridgnorth proved to be far more mobile around the park and a combination of quick recycling and low error rate brought up phase after phase of possession resulting in tries at short range from first skipper Jonah Boyce, then back row Charlie Wright, with a frantic 15 minutes closed out by Jordan Burgess scampering over in the corner. Elliot Murphy successfully converted the first 2 tries.
Bridgnorth were not, however, finished with this period of play: an interception by Connor Nichols from halfway (at least) was followed by him just outpacing the Nuneaton full back to the line. A long-range conversion by Murphy made the score 26 to 7 as half time approached. It is worth noting that Nuneaton had periods of possession as well, but the Bridgnorth defensive wall held up the middle of the pitch with more than one turnover.
With the wind now at their backs, Nuneaton came out after the break with fresh determination and found their quick outside backs on more than one occasion. Penalties by Bridgnorth conceded territory and 2 tries were scored in the first 10 minutes. Both unconverted, this brought the score to 17-26.
In a repeat of the first half, Bridgnorth again stepped up to the mark. Timely introduction from the bench reinvigorated the team who once again showed how effective they were within the opposition 20 metre line, as well as spoiling Nuneaton kick offs and line outs. Over the course of the next 20 minutes another 3 tries were scored: Huw Taylor (his first for the team), George Newman (from his new position on the wing) and finally our captain Jonah Boyce rounded out matters with a second try. Fighting the wind, only one conversion was added to the score. Two yellow cards and a number of penalties against the home side during this period was evidence of the frustration being experienced.
However, at no point did Nuneaton stop playing and, with 5 minutes to go and Bridgnorth penalties on the rise, a final converted try was scored – a much-deserved bonus point for them.
Final score 24 - 43 and a great all-round team performance.
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