Sat 9 Nov 2024
Bridgnorth welcomed Long Eaton to the Edgar Davies Ground for the
first time in their history and the visiting dignitaries Martin and
Tony were treated to a delicious goulash at the volunteer celebration
lunch in the clubhouse. Long Eaton came into the game on the back of
good wins against Burton and Dudley Kingswinford and so while the home
side was in a rich vein of form, there could be no room for
complacency. Bridgnorth started the game well with their
characteristic good exit and solid scrum, and then a steal at the
lineout was followed up with excellent build-up play by Ollie Neill,
Benji Ritson and Elliot Murphy, the ball came to Ed Taylor in support
who crossed for an early opening try converted by Murphy.
Mistakes then came into the home side’s game as Jack Cole kicked the
ball out on the full and Ritson knocked the ball on a couple of times
when seeming to want too much time at the breakdown. The referee also
penalised Bridgnorth for high tackles and closing the gap at the
lineout and the away side had an attacking ten-metre lineout. Good
defence by Bridgnorth kept Long Eaton out for several phases before
the home side won a turnover penalty. The ball came to Ben Ralph in
the centres and he turned on the afterburners for a brilliant break up
the field, the ball was recycled and Murphy kicked high cross-field
for Jack Cole, who reached highest into the air to score an excellent
try. Murphy missed the difficult touchline conversion.
After a good response from Long Eaton at the restart, Bridgnorth
played some of their best rugby of the season, the whole team was
involved as backs and forwards supported each other and Connor
Nicholls crossed for an outstanding team try, Murphy with the extras.
The good play continued with Huw Taylor (playing his last game of the
season) punching holes in the defence with Murphy and Matt Needham
(returning at full-back) pulling the strings in the backline. The home
side had a penalty for a twenty-metre lineout but they were penalised
for an ‘extra-roll’ on the floor. Captain Jonah Boyce was then
yellow-carded by the referee who was beginning to lose patience with
the home side and this was possibly a cumulative / team sin-bin.
Bridgnorth survived being a man down until half-time and won
successive turnovers before Cole kicked the ball straight out again
and a Long Eaton knock-on brought a close to the half with the score
19-0.
Bridgnorth then suffered a difficult third quarter for successive
games as the phrase “lost the ref” was never better used. Huw Taylor
took a man out in the air from the restart and Long Eaton, rejuvenated
after half-time, went through the phases. Ritson was also given a
yellow card (this time for foul play) and the away side broke and
chipped ahead, Needham gathered the ball well, but had to carry it
over his line for a five-metre scrum to the opposition. Long Eaton
scored the pushover try and the Bridgnorth bench was used with George
Newman and Charley Wright coming on. Huw Taylor was then given a
yellow card for high tackling and the home side was reduced to
thirteen. Long Eaton attacked again and scored another close range try
(this time converted.) The home side had a man back on but the penalty
count against them was rising alarmingly. The away side continued to
take advantage of their penalties and scored another converted try to
level the scores at 19 all.
The levelling of the scores stung the home side into action and after
very good phases from the restart, George Newman crashed over for the
bonus-point try (converted by Murphy.) With fifteen men on the park,
Bridgnorth continued to attack (despite continuing to concede regular
penalties), and after winning a penalty of their own, Murphy kicked
for a twenty-metre lineout and the home side exerted sustained
pressure onto the Long Eaton line in front of their supporters at the
clubhouse. Luis Evitt scored another excellent team try and Murphy
again added the extras.
This was the end of the scoring in the game and the match finished
with Bridgnorth again on the attack. The score at full-time was 33-19.
The penalty count of twenty-two against Bridgnorth could, however, run
the risk of overshadowing an excellent team performance. The work in
the pack of the other forwards - Ben Morris, Morgan French and Loti
Molitika paved the way for the five-try win and the defensive effort
should not be underestimated. Congratulations to all involved. The win
moved Bridgnorth up to fourth in the table before one of their most
difficult games of the season next Saturday at Bromsgrove. All
travelling support will be welcome.
