Sat 14 Dec 2024
Bridgnorth travelled to their Solihull opponents after a gap of a few seasons between visits. The travelling dignitaries were well hosted by the home committee in the club house before both teams ran out onto the large pitch in good conditions for running rugby. The home team were in confident mood after defeating Dudley Kingswinford at home the week before and the opening exchanges were even with the home side demonstrating a solid scrum to negate one of Bridgnorth’s key strengths. After good phases, Silhillians opened the scoring, kicking a penalty in front of the posts.
Silhillians backed this up with more attacking running rugby, their full-back in particular posing a serious threat with his ability to consistently beat the first tackler. Bridgnorth worked hard to get into the game but knock-ons meant they were unable to exert sustained pressure. After a scrum penalty and a successful lineout, the home side kicked another three points. The home full-back then exploited a lack of guard defence on the fringe of a ruck in his own half to race forward, he beat the attempted tackle and scored an excellent solo try, converted by the home side’s kicker who was in good form. The away side also found themselves in the familiar position of being on the wrong end of the referee’s decisions.
Bridgnorth competed at the restart and were awarded a penalty after a very good jackal tackle. They kicked for a fifteen-metre lineout and despite some scrappy play, the ball was passed out to Luke Brough on the right wing who dived in at the corner with an excellent finish for the try, (unconverted.) The two sides then tested each other out with some kick tennis before Silhillians earned a turnover penalty as Bridgnorth held onto the ball. The home kicker knocked over another three points. Bridgnorth continued to struggle to put together any meaningful phases and their lineout was also not operating smoothly. After winning another penalty in front of Bridgnorth’s posts, the home side showed their confidence by opting for the scrum. Silhillians failed to score a try but kicked another three points for a scrum offence by Bridgnorth to make the score 19-5.
As the half neared its conclusion, the away side put together their best passage of play. Sustained possession and phases put the home defence under real pressure and then Luis Evitt came up with his ‘pick and go’ break through the ruck to burst clear towards the posts, he was tackled but gave an excellent back of the hand pass to George Newman who was arriving at speed in support. Newman scored the try, converted by Elliot Murphy and the referee blew for half-time with the score 19-12.
Bridgnorth started the second half well, with some good phases before another knock-on stopped their progress. The away side then earned a penalty and after a twenty-metre lineout, Ed Taylor and Evitt led the drive towards the opposition line. The referee judged that the drive had been illegally stopped and awarded Bridgnorth a penalty try, to level the scores. The Silhillians number five was also sent to the sin-bin. Bridgnorth should have taken this opportunity to stamp their authority on the game, instead, Silhillians restarted and regained possession and their number seven broke through the away defence to score a converted try practically from the kick-off.
Bridgnorth regrouped again and after some better play, Jack Cole on the wing took a quick throw in to launch another attack. A penalty was kicked for the attacking lineout and a very good quick drive saw Evitt ground the ball for an unconverted try. This also gave Bridgnorth the four-try bonus point. The away side backed this up with another good attack, good offloading support play by Cole, Murphy and Ollie Neill took them up field and a promising twenty-metre lineout. Another penalty was earned in front of the posts and Bridgnorth declined the three-point opportunity (to take the lead) and went for a ‘tap & go’ attempt.
In a period of play that was symptomatic of the match for Bridgnorth, Silhillians turned the ball over and cleared downfield. After conceding further free-kicks and penalties, Silhillians had a five-metre lineout and, in what was a planned move off the front of the lineout, cleverly shifted the point of attack to score in the corner. The home side’s kicker backed this up with an excellent conversion to make the score 31-24. There was plenty of time left in the game but Bridgnorth were continually guilty of not looking after the ball in attack, they conceded possession by either having the ball stripped in the tackle, being counter-rucked beyond the ball or conceding the jackal tackle. Silhillians continued to play with the confidence they showed throughout the game with their experienced fly-half pulling the strings in attack.
From another attack, the home side pressed forward and Ed Taylor put in a tackle which the referee judged was sufficiently dangerous to make it a red card offence. Silhillians opted for the long-range penalty attempt to put the game out of Bridgnorth’s reach, but for the first time in the game, the kick went wide. Although reduced to fourteen men, Bridgnorth ran the ball out of defence looking for the seven points to draw the game. They secured a penalty near the half-way line, however in what was a frustrating afternoon, Jack Cole tried to take a quick penalty and failed to control the ball, Benji Ritson in support knocked the ball on.
Silhillians secured the ball from the scrum and as the referee signalled last play, they kicked the ball out for an ecstatic reaction from their squad and supporters. Bridgnorth in contrast were left deflated and wondering where it went wrong for them. Full credit must go to the Silhillians team who played the better game and will be looking to continue their good form as their first goal is to secure survival in Regional 1 Midlands. Bridgnorth took the four-try and losing bonus points but will need to recover quickly from this defeat as they host the dangerous Banbury side at the Edgar Davies Ground on the 21st December.
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