Sat 17 Jan 2026
Bridgnorth RFC 19 – 22 Newent RFC
Bridgnorth RFC began 2026 with a narrow and ultimately frustrating
defeat as they welcomed Newent RFC to the Edgar Davies Ground for the
first time. After the previous week’s trip to Bromsgrove was snowed
off, this fixture marked successive visits from Forest of Dean
opposition, and despite a spirited second-half revival, Bridgnorth
were left to reflect on a dramatic late swing that handed the visitors
a bonus-point victory. Off the field, the afternoon began in fine
fashion. A well-attended sponsors’ lunch enjoyed the catering team’s
usual high standards, with roast beef followed by sticky toffee
pudding setting the tone ahead of a keenly anticipated contest.
With Ben Ralph captaining the side, Bridgnorth kicked off towards the
clubhouse under a referee keen to let the game flow. Both sides
started with intent, and the early exchanges suggested a closely
matched encounter. The set-piece proved evenly balanced at scrum and
lineout, while robust defence from both teams led to a period
dominated by tactical kicking and territorial probing. Newent,
however, struck first. Their lively left winger broke clear early on,
only for excellent scramble defence from Bridgnorth to recover and
clear the danger. The visitors returned with greater menace soon
after. Luke Brough shot up from the blindside wing to bolster the
defensive line, but the movement left space behind. Newent’s fly-half
spotted it instantly, chipping neatly through for his centre to
collect and score the game’s opening try.
Bridgnorth responded well despite looking slightly disjointed in
attack. Sustained pressure inside the Newent 22 followed, but just as
momentum was building, a knock-on halted proceedings. Newent weathered
that storm and countered sharply, moving play back towards the road.
Slick handling between forwards and backs — including a well-timed pop
pass to their hooker — took them close, and from the recycled ball
Newent crossed again for a second unconverted try. At 0–10, the
scoreline looked ominous for the home side. Crucially, Bridgnorth
refused to fold. Despite a restart kick failing to travel ten metres,
they regrouped and began to build phases with greater cohesion. Jack
Cole and Dan Brough combined effectively to attack space, while Matt
Needham produced an outstanding 50:22 kick to swing the territorial
battle. Newent briefly threatened from a five-metre lineout, but stout
defence held firm and Bridgnorth countered once more. The ball was
worked to the left, where Luke Brough looped round and finished
acrobatically in the corner to open the home side’s account, halving
the deficit at 5–10.
Moments later, a scrum penalty allowed Bridgnorth to kick into the
Newent 22. Tempers briefly boiled over following a fracas between the
two sides, but once play resumed, Bridgnorth continued to drive hard
at the visitor’s line. Another knock-on denied them further reward,
and the half-time whistle arrived with the home side trailing by five.
Given a disjointed first quarter and some unfamiliar combinations,
Bridgnorth could take heart from both the scoreline and a notably
reduced penalty count — an area that had troubled them in recent
weeks.
The second half began with the welcome return of Charley Wright after
a long injury lay-off, though his first carry conceded a penalty.
Newent’s place-kicker was off target again, a miss that would later
prove significant. Bridgnorth then seized control. As Newent’s
discipline slipped, Connor Nicholls broke powerfully towards the line,
earning a penalty which was kicked to five metres. From the resulting
lineout, the forwards drove with purpose and George Newman emerged
with the ball to score, Benji Ritson converting to put Bridgnorth
ahead at 12–10. The pattern repeated itself soon after. Strong
multi-phase play drew further penalties, another five-metre lineout
was secured, and although initially repelled, the maul was driven over
once more. Newman claimed his second try of the afternoon, again
converted by Ritson, stretching the lead to 19–10 and giving the home
crowd real belief. Elliot Murphy (returning from injury,) and Malachi
Stuffinswere introduced from the bench as Bridgnorth looked to turn
the screw on the opposition.
Instead, discipline and fine margins turned the contest on its head. A
late tackle by Newent sparked another melee; the offender was
yellow-carded, but Jacob Tomkinson was also sent to the sin-bin for
his involvement. Newent sensed an opportunity and increased the tempo.
When Bridgnorth failed to exit cleanly from a scrum, the visitors
pounced. Luke Brough again flew up in defence to halt the move, but
the referee deemed his intervention a deliberate knock-on. A penalty
try was awarded and Brough was shown a yellow card, leaving Bridgnorth
with just thirteen players. The momentum shift was immediate and
decisive. From the restart, a breakdown in midfield saw the ball
spilled and Newent reacted fastest. The ball was moved quickly to
their dangerous left winger, who shrugged off the first tackle and
crossed for Newent’s fourth, and bonus-point try. Suddenly, the
scoreboard read 19–22 and Bridgnorth were in salvage mode.
To their credit, the home side threw everything at the closing stages.
Second rows Morgan French and Adam Ellis led the charge with powerful
carries, and a turnover penalty offered hope, only for the subsequent
lineout throw to be adjudged not straight. One final turnover handed
Bridgnorth possession deep in Newent territory, but a forward pass
brought the referee’s whistle and confirmed the visitors’ victory.
Congratulations go to Newent, whose energy, physicality and commitment
were rewarded with a deserved bonus-point win. Bridgnorth were left to
settle for a losing bonus point and plenty to reflect upon as they
prepare for consecutive away trips to local rivals Bromsgrove and
Dudley Kingswinford on the next two Saturdays.
