Sat 5 Apr 2025, 14:00
Bridgnorth travelled to Heathbrook to play local rivals Dudley Kingswinford in the last league game of the season. The official travelling party were very well hosted by President Ken Crane with a delicious lunch on offer. Both sets of supporters were able to enjoy the sunshine with drinks on the patio being the order of the day. Bridgnorth were playing into the wind in the first half, and it was unusually blowing away from the clubhouse. They made a bright start to the game and after winning an early penalty, kicked for the ten-metre lineout instead of kicking for three points, Dudley managed to turnover possession from the lineout and clear downfield. Bridgnorth bounced back although a Luis Evitt break through the middle of the ruck was penalised by the referee to unfortunately stop the advance.
The game was being played with high energy and work rate by both sides. Bridgnorth, with Elliot Murphy back at fly-half were playing an expansive game and ambitious passing in the open channels led to several knock-ons. Dudley were able to kick downfield with the wind and this led to their opening try as after a kick ahead, Bridgnorth failed to clear to touch and the home side recycled the ball for a converted try and the opening score of the game. Bridgnorth defended very well after this and were able to disrupt the Dudley attacks, when the away side had a scrum in their twenty-two, Connor Nicholls delivered several excellent carries from the base to clear the danger for his side. Then Bridgnorth did threaten the Dudley line as the ball came out wide to Jack Cole and when he realised he could not reach the line, his handling was judged as a knock-on by the referee and the chance was gone.
The Bridgnorth ‘D’ held out again as Bridgnorth had to clear with a goal line drop-out before Dudley won an offside penalty and kicked the three points to make the score 10-0. Bridgnorth brought on the returning Loti Molitika for Charley Wright and after a good restart, Bridgnorth were able to work up-field. They won a penalty and Elliot Murphy kicked the three points and it was a good time to score as the referee blew for half time with the scoreboard reading 10-3. Bridgnorth failed to gather the second-half restart as the home side tried a variety of kicks with the ball being held up in the wind. Dudley capitalised on this as their pressure led to another offside penalty and they kicked the three points to open up a ten-point lead.
The away side responded well and Gareth Bladen put in a brilliant clearance to take the game into the Dudley half and after winning a penalty, Bridgnorth kicked for a twenty-metre lineout. The driving maul was well set and James Barham joined in the drive and it was he who grounded the ball for Bridgnorth’s opening try, converted by Murphy.The wind seemed to gather strength and Bridgnorth used the wind well to continuously peg their opponents back into their own half. After strong running by Adam Ellis, Bridgnorth won another penalty and after winning the lineout at the second attempt, great handling in the backs saw James Barham squeeze in at the left-hand corner for his second try. This was followed up by a fabulous conversation by Murphy as he used the wind brilliantly to slot the ball through the posts.
The scrum, which had been a tight tussle all game, continued to earn penalties for both sides with the referee quick on his whistle. After penalising both sides in turn, it was Bridgnorth who had the opportunity to take three points and Murphy again assuredly converted the opportunity to keep the scoreboard moving as it read 13-20. Dudley were now having to force the game as they searched for a response but strong tackling by all the Bridgnorth players, particularly Ollie Neill, frustrated their efforts. After more scrum penalties, Bridgnorth moved the ball well again and Connor Nicholls crashed over for his side’s third try to the joy of the Bridgnorth support. This time the try was well converted by substitute Benji Ritson.
Bridgnorth were now well in control of the game and after another excellent clearance by Bladen took play into the Dudley half, the home side were penalised again and Ritson calmly kicked the three points. This was the end of the action before the referee blew for full-time with the score 13-30. This was a superb away performance by Bridgnorth against a Dudley side that are very difficult to beat at home. The players and management team deserve huge congratulations for winning the last league game of the season with such style. Their game management was spot on in the conditions and they fully deserved their celebrations at Heathbrook and back at the Edgar Davies Ground.
Bridgnorth finished their league campaign in fifth place in the Regional 1 Midlands table with a record of played 22, won 11 and lost 11. They had the highest bonus points total and their 8 losing bonus points from 11 losses showed how tenacious they have been. To have only had two clubs (Syston and Bromsgrove) “do the double” on them home & away, demonstrates the potential in the side and if they can start the next season like they have finished this one, then the future is bright.
Written by Robin Glover
Full match photos on our Facebook page - Many thanks to Robert Nicholls.
