Sat 22 Mar 2025
Bridgnorth welcomed Derby to the Edgar Davies Ground with the conditions set for a game of running rugby and the entertainment that followed did not disappoint. Bridgnorth came into the game having lost three league games in a row “for the 1st time since 2017” (Midlands Rugby Page X) and with captain Jonah Boyce away with work commitments, the home supporters’ nerves were jangling before the kick-off. Their nerves were quickly settled however, as the home team scored two very quick tries, the first by Connor Nicholls after a flowing move to the road end and the second by Gareth Bladen after an excellent break by Luis Evitt, (both converted by Benji Ritson.)
This opening inspired Bridgnorth to play with further ambition, as after an outstanding restart catch by Morgan French, George Newman made a superb break up-field but unfortunately the final pass was knocked-on. Derby started to gain a foot-hold in the game and good kicking from hand by Jack Cole and Benji Ritson kept them from pressurising the home line. The spirit of bravado and derring-do continued with James Barham and Ollie Neill both making penetrating runs, this freedom then became Bridgnorth’s undoing as the Derby number thirteen intercepted a pass and scooted in for a converted try.
Derby increased the pressure on Bridgnorth and it took an exceptional jackal from Evitt to keep out the away side. Then, as the penalty count against the home side rose, Manasa Volaikisuva received a yellow card for a high tackle and Derby kicked the three points to make the score 14-10. Bridgnorth then had their own attempt at three points but the kick went wide. Derby were now using the dry conditions and fast pitch to play their own brand of expansive rugby and after a promising kick chase, it took the footballing skills of Jacob Tomkinson to slide kick the ball into touch and clear the danger. The home side then turned defence into attack as Nicholls broke through and the ball came to Cole, he put through a grubber kick towards the line and his pace took him past the defence to regather the ball under pressure and score a dazzling converted try. The clock ticked round to 3.50pm as Derby finished the first-half see-saw of scoring and their number twelve crossed for an unconverted try after a period of sustained pressure. The scoreboard at half-time read 21-15.
The second-half started very well for Bridgnorth as they kicked a penalty from the restart for a five-metre lineout, the forwards set the maul well and were driving for the line when the maul was illegally collapsed by Derby and the referee awarded a penalty try. This was the bonus-point try for the home team and the prop from the away side also received a yellow card. Bridgnorth turned the screw on their opponents with flankers Charley Wright and Adam Ellis to the fore in attack. Gareth Bladen was having his usual high-quality game and his distribution kept the team moving forwards for several phases, pressure was turned into points as George Newman crashed over for a converted try and the score was 35-15.
Derby did not let their heads drop at this stage and they continued to play open running rugby; their fly-half gave a nice delay pop-pass to their number thirteen who showed good pace to cross for his second try (converted.) They remained on the front foot as they were held-up over the line, before their number eight broke through the defensive line and showed elusive running to score a converted try. This made the score 35-29 and Derby were right back in the game. Bridgnorth bounced back with James Barham and he burst down the wing before Derby were penalised for holding on and the home side kicked for the five-metre lineout. This time there was no mistake with the score, as Luis Evitt grounded the ball at the base of the maul for a converted try. Bridgnorth backed this up with good defence as Ben Ralph won a penalty with a jackal tackle and then Derby were sent back a further ten-metres for back chat. George Newman pressed again in attack but then Derby intercepted the ball again and they scored a converted try, the score was now 42-36.
Bridgnorth used their subs bench as Patrick Smallman, Ben Morris and Dan Adams took the field and this gave fresh impetus to the home side as Derby were penalised for offside and captain for the day Ed Taylor opted for the kick at goal. Benji Ritson obliged with the three points to give the home side a nine-point lead. This pattern was repeated when Derby were again penalised for offside and Ritson finished the scoring with another three points. Both sides played competitive rugby until the last play of the game when Ritson was taken out by a bad late tackle and the referee dealt with the incident by blowing for full time. Bridgnorth ran out winners 48-36.
Derby played their full part in a high scoring affair and both sets of supporters looked forward to renewing rivalries next season. For Bridgnorth, the victory stopped the run of losses and it was very satisfying for the last home league game of the season to finish with a good win. The team now has a week off before travelling to local rivals Dudley Kingswinford on the 5th April for the last league game of the season.
