Sat 13 Sep 2025
Bridgnorth welcomed Bournville RFC to the Edgar Davies Ground for the
second game of the season. Having spent the last few seasons in the
National Leagues, and after a high-scoring win the previous week, the
home players and supporters knew they were in for a challenging
afternoon. Bridgnorth started the game well with a good claim from the
kick-off by Adam Ellis and an excellent clearance from Benji Ritson.
The Bournville lineout did not function well for the whole game and
after winning the first lineout, the home forwards drove on well, led
by captain Jonah Boyce before the ball went forwards.
After a good first scrum, fly-half Reece Boughton unleashed a
brilliant 50:22 kick and the home side drove on from the five-metre
lineout. Bournville were able to turn the ball over however and they
ran the ball after winning the scrum, Adam Ellis produced an excellent
jackal tackle to earn a penalty and Elliot Murphy kicked the three
points. This phase of play was then repeated, (50:22, lineout,
turnover, Bournville scrum) but Bridgnorth kept the pressure on the
visitors and after a high tackle, Murphy kicked another three points.
The first half was played at high intensity by both sides, with the
physicality ‘turned up to eleven.’ The Bridgnorth forwards were having
the better of the set-piece but the Bournville backs were looking
dangerous with the ball in hand. This was demonstrated when their
left-wing crossed for their opening try after some missed tackles, and
it was well converted to edge the visitors in front. Bridgnorth
responded well to going behind and Murphy kicked another three points.
The tackling from both sides was ferocious and Adam Ellis was having
an outstanding game closing down the opposition, centre Ben Ralph got
in on the act and produced another jackal tackle for a penalty that
the home side kicked to the corner. Although the initial lineout was
lost, Bridgnorth stayed in the opposition third, and after another
lineout and drive, replacement prop Jacob Tomkinson grounded the ball
for the try. (The conversion was missed.)
Bridgnorth again cleared the restart well, and the referee blew for
half-time with the scoreboard reading 14-7. This had been a
breathtaking half of rugby, and Bridgnorth were deservedly on top.
They only conceded one penalty and after kicking three, they had built
their score. The return of Ed Taylor and Loti Molitika to the home
pack, also increased its power and solidity. The home side started the
second half brilliantly, and after sustained pressure with phases by
backs and forwards, Jack Cole passed out to Luke Brough on the right
wing who scooted in at the corner before running around towards the
posts to make the conversion attempt easier. This was an excellent
team try and one of the best seen at the EDG in a long time. Murphy
kicked the conversion and the score was 21-7.
Bridgnorth then received a yellow card as Luke Brough took out the
legs of the opposition player in the air. Bournville took the
opportunity to turn the screw and (despite their lineout misfiring)
they drove forwards but were held up over the line. They returned the
ball well from the dropout and with penalty advantage, their
scrum-half took advantage of some indecision in the home defence to
race in for a converted try. They scored again when they kicked a
penalty after a high-tackle by Bridgnorth to close the gap to four
points and the home supporters’ nerves were jangling with memories of
the previous week’s second-half performance fresh in their mind. The
tension increased as the Bournville attacks continued to mount, and
only heroic Bridgnorth tackling kept them in the game. The penalty
count was also increasing against the home side, as the away side’s
confidence grew. The Bournville backs looked to have broken through
for a try, but the referee pulled them back for crossing and awarded
the home side a penalty. The Bridgnorth forwards drove towards their
supporters and after winning a penalty, Murphy again kicked the points
to open up a seven-point gap 24-17.
Bournville continued to press, and the Bridgnorth touch-judge was on
the spot to see Jack Cole drag the opposition’s winger’s feet into
touch before he grounded the ball. The Bridgnorth tackling was
relentless as they kept the opposition out, second-row Morgan French
producing an exceptional tackle on the opposition centre when he was
on the verge of breaking free. As the final whistle approached,
Bridgnorth cleared their lines again although Ritson’s clearance
stayed in play and Bournville launched one last attack, the home side
were able to reclaim possession and Reece Boughton gratefully cleared
his lines on the last play as the final whistle went.
There were jubilant celebrations from the players and supporters, the
score of 24-17 meant Bournville had a losing bonus point but
Bridgnorth had the deserved victory. This was a massive shift by the
Bridgnorth team and they left everything on the pitch. Congratulations
to the players, management and support crew. Hopefully they can
recover well, before next Saturday’s visit to new opposition Drybrook
RFC in the Forest of Dean.
