Sat 4 Sep 2021
Bridgnorth hosted Leicester outfit Syston and were fortunate to hang on for a 26 - 24 victory despite being out scored 4 tries to 2. After taking an early lead through the boot of debutant fly half Elliott Murphy North then had full back Dan Austin sin binned, Syston took full advantage to score two tries for a 12-3 lead. Number 8 Connor Nichols was held back under the posts when a try looked likely, a scuffle ensued which resulted in Nichols and his opposite number being binned for 10 minutes. North declined the easy kick at goal from the resulting penalty opting for field position, Callum Bradbury drove over from the line out and Murphy’s conversion reduced the deficit.. The lively Syston backs then created their third try to extend the lead with a converted try. Ex skipper Calum Madden came on into the front row and the half ended with a period of sustained North pressure, Murphy converting a penalty and George Newman’s try to lead 20-19 at half time.
Early in the second half Murphy extended the lead with a penalty following more continued pressure on the Syston line. Syston missed a penalty kick at goal before Murphy increased the lead to a seven point margin with another penalty. The Syston backs who looked dangerous all game ran from their own half to score in the corner for a bonus point try, the conversion from the touch line that would have levelled the scores sailed just wide.
Syston added further pressure at the death but couldn’t add another score and it was the Bridgnorth players and supporters who were relieved to hear the final whistle, Syston deservedly secured a losing bonus point plus a second point for scoring 4 tries. Bridgnorth’s win was largely due to the industry and staying power of their forwards, the backs not quite gelling in either attack or defence after a long layoff and a late change in the centre due to Covid, and with several players making their league debuts the win will be very pleasing for the North coaching staff.
