Sat 19 Oct 2024
Bridgnorth welcomed Stourbridge to Bridgnorth and a full EDG clubhouse
for the sponsors’ and patrons’ lunch. The diners watched as the River
Severn flood waters covered the EDG pitch meaning the game was moved
to the Severn Park pitch. Stourbridge kicked off towards the EDG and
Bridgnorth secured the ball well through Loti Molitika, the follow up
to the clearing kick was judged a high tackle by the referee and
Stourbridge moved the ball quickly and scored an early converted try
through Bridgnorth old boy Cal Bradbury.
This was to be the only score for a long period as the home side, with
a dominant scrum earning regular penalties, attacked the away side’s
line. The scrum pressure turned into frustration for the Stourbridge
pack and their hooker received a yellow card for fighting. Bridgnorth
kept the pressure on but could not convert this into points as
numerous attacks ended with a turnover or knock-on. Jordan Burgess
enjoyed the wide spaces of Severn Park as he returned multiple
clearing kicks with interest, the Bridgnorth lineout was also
operating well with Luis Evitt rapid throws being skilfully caught by
the jumpers. The home side were then reduced to fourteen men as centre
Ollie Neill was unlucky to high tackle the opposition player who was
already falling.
Bridgnorth did not let this pressure tell however as another penalty
was compounded by backchat from the opposition captain and Elliot
Murphy kicked for an attacking lineout. An excellent drive resulted in
Luis Evitt grounding the ball for an unconverted try. The restart was
well caught by Connor Nicholls and a good clearance by Murphy took
play to halfway, Bridgnorth then conceded a penalty and backchat from
the home side meant the penalty was moved into kickable range for
Stourbridge’s reliable kicker. The three points were taken and after
the restart, Bridgnorth were awarded a penalty and cleared the ball
out on the last play. The score at half-time was 5-10.
Stourbridge received the ball from the second-half restart and put
together good phases, they were penalised however and after themselves
putting together a very good passage of play, Bridgnorth were awarded
another penalty and kicked for the five-metre lineout. Another
outstanding drive led to George Newman grounding the ball for an
unconverted try and levelling the scores. Bridgnorth backed this score
up with more pressure and had another penalty in front of the
opposition’s posts, they declined the three points and kicked again
into what was to become Stourbridge’s ‘coffin corner’ for the
five-metre lineout. This time, the forwards’ pick and drives were
repelled by the away defence. The ball came to Elliot Murphy and with
a subtle delay on his pass and great timing of the run, Jordan Burgess
crossed unopposed for the try converted by Murphy.
After another good exit by Murphy, Stourbridge applied their own
pressure and kicked a penalty to keep in touch at 17-13. Bridgnorth
however, after another penalty, repeated their routine of kick to the
corner, five-metre lineout and forward drive for the (converted) try,
this time Luis Evitt grounding the ball. This also gave the home side
the four-try bonus point. Any confidence the home supporters were
feeling about the outcome of the game was short-lived however, as
first Connor Nicholls received a yellow card and then Stourbridge
after a strong period of possession crossed for a try. There was
disagreement between the touch-judges as to whether the conversion was
successful as its trajectory went over the top of a post, the referee
agreed with the away side’s linesman and chalked up the two points.
The score was now 24-20.
Stourbridge now had the momentum in this pulsating half of rugby,
after penalties in open play were awarded to both sides, Bridgnorth
became less successful with their clearing kicks and the away side
kept attacking. They scored another converted try through their pacy
outside backs to take a three-point lead. Bridgnorth were also still
firing on all cylinders and after the away side were penalised for
crossing in attack, they kicked to their favoured corner for another
close lineout (instead of trying to level the scores with three
points.) A series of massive drives followed with several penalty
advantages being played by the referee. The pressure eventually told
and captain Jonah Boyce grounded the ball for the try with the referee
in an excellent position. The conversion was missed however as Murphy
was maybe put off by the low sunshine. This crucially only gave the
home side a two-point lead going into the closing stages.
Stourbridge attacked after the restart and Bridgnorth were given
offside in midfield, the away side scrum-half kept up his 100% record
and kicked the penalty to make the score 29-30. After attacking from
the restart, the home side’s chances seemed to have gone as the
referee chose this occasion to penalise the home scrum. The play
though continued after the following lineout. This was before one of
the most remarkable passages of play seen at Bridgnorth in recent
seasons. Stourbridge kicked ahead and the home side had to start
playing from near their own try-line. Several times the ball was
passed back and missed its intended target but the Bridgnorth players
regrouped to keep attacking. The ball came to Adam Ellis and he
charged up the left wing, shrugging off would-be tacklers to give his
side much needed momentum. The entire team roused themselves to
sustain the attack and the referee penalised the away side on their
own twenty-two-metre line. Elliot Murphy lined up the penalty attempt
and he kept his nerve to kick the three points to send his side and
supporters into raptures as the referee blew for full-time. The last
kick of the game made the score 32-30.
An outstanding game was a credit to both sides’ commitment in attack
and defence. The result could have gone either way but enormous credit
must go to Bridgnorth’s resilience and competitive spirit. The match
was a brilliant display of Level 5 rugby and will live long in the
memory. The words here do not do the Bridgnorth players justice,
particularly the forwards, with the spectators standing on the
dead-ball line being able to witness the sheer power and effort that
went into the Bridgnorth tries from the five-metre lineouts.
Bridgnorth travel to Kenilworth next week, before having a week off on
November 2nd when the fireworks event will be on the EDG. Hopefully,
the flood waters will have receded enough for this event and the home
game the following week against league newcomers Long Eaton.
MATCH PHOTOS - SEE BRFC FACEBOOK PAGE.
