Sat 6 Sep 2025
Bridgnorth welcomed Stourbridge RFC to the Edgar Davies Ground for the opening game of the season. After winning the last two matches between the sides at Bridgnorth, the home support had some confidence going into the game although this was tempered by the 55-17 scoreline at Stourton Park when the sides last met. Bridgnorth did not start the game well with a knock-on from the kick-off and Stourbridge applied further pressure as Jack Cole on the wing was forced to carry the ball over his own try-line from a kick ahead. The home side won a penalty from the resulting scrum however, and the front row of Boyce, Newman & Tomkinson had the better of their opposition for most of the game.
Bridgnorth took the lead after good pressure with a penalty from Elliot Murphy to go 3-0 up after Stourbridge were offside. The standard of play was high from both sides before a Stourbridge player was given a yellow card for a trip. Bridgnorth then ‘scored’ the opening try of the game as Jack Cole made a devastating break from his own half, and the opposition second row (showing good pace himself) had to make a high tackle and drag Cole down by his collar to prevent the try. Stourbridge then had two players in the sin-bin and conceded the penalty try. A good catch at the restart by Connor Nicholls and fine clearance from the returning Reece Boughton kept up the home side’s pressure, and they converted this pressure into points with another penalty from Murphy. Stourbridge responded with their own attacks, and kicked a penalty after a tip-tackle by the home side.
The away side went back up to full strength, and attacked again through their talented back line, the ball was dropped however and Murphy was first to the ball, instead of fly-hacking it on, he produced the ‘champagne moment’ of the match and flicked the ball backwards between his legs to the oncoming Luke Brough who raced forwards to score the try, unfortunately the conversion attempt was pulled across the face of the posts. The game continued with quality play from both sides before Bridgnorth managed the game well to look after the ball well until the half-time whistle. The scoreboard read 18-3 at the break.
The second-half started well for the home team as centre Ben Ralph made a good break and after being awarded a penalty, Bridgnorth kicked for the five-metre lineout and after a series of drives, George Newman was judged to have been held-up over the line. Stourbridge turned defence into attack as fly-half Mike Penn intercepted the ball and kicked ahead, Ben Ralph gathered the ball well, but conceded a penalty. The away side continued to attack with the ball in hand and Murphy was given a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. The pressure then told as Stourbridge scored a converted try to make the score 18-10. Bridgnorth introduced new prop Ethan Pearce-Cowley and after strong play, Reece Boughton kicked a penalty for the home side and the scoreboard read 21-10. This was the end of the scoring for Bridgnorth however, as Stourbridge raised their game to score three tries and seventeen unanswered points. The first came after a good break in the centres, the second by Mike Penn and the third by their energetic open-side flanker which also gave them the four-try bonus point.
Bridgnorth had their opportunities to score in this period, predominantly from the lineout, but could not capitalise on their chances. Boughton kicked a superb 50:22 but the ball was lost from the lineout, the ball was overthrown to the tail at another lineout and at the end of the game, the ball was lost at a five-metre lineout as Stourbridge cleared for the victory. The scoreline and result may have been different if Bridgnorth had been successful with more place kicks and in tight-scoring games, this is something they may want to consider. Congratulations must go to Stourbridge for playing very well in the second-half and taking the win. Bridgnorth never gave up on the game and worked hard to the final whistle, the losing bonus point gave them some reward from the game.
Bridgnorth have another home game next Saturday against Bournville who return to Regional 1 Midlands after spending several seasons in the national leagues. They started their campaign with a 69-7 win at home vs Nuneaton, so Bridgnorth will be in doubt as to the challenge that faces them. All home support will be most welcome.
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