Sat 18 Dec 2021
On a Dreich day, with the floodlights on from the start, the hosts started quickly scoring an unconverted try to lead 5-0. Almost immediately Callum Bradbury replied with a touch down after a good kick and chase resulted in the hosts knocking on under their posts, Elliott Murphy adding the conversion. Gregg Szczepanski then increased the lead after a great offload in the tackle by Ben Rochelle, the conversion just missing. North then missed 2 penalty attempts and Street hit a post with an attempt of their own to leave the score at 5 - 12 at half time. Just before the break Joe Cave and Scott McKenzie came off the bench for the injured Zac Xiorouppa and Marley Finn with Mckenzie making his first team debut.
Early into the second period Cave ran strongly and won a penalty, Street cleared their lines but Murphy started a counter attack in his own 22 which after several passes he finished in the corner, the conversion missing for a 17-5 lead. Jordan Burgess then looked like he had extended the lead only for the referee to penalise North for crossing. Street were able to kick for touch with the penalty and then applied pressure for a sustained period but were held out by good defence from the visitors and a good turnover by skipper Jonah Boyce allowed North to break free, McKenzie finishing well to earn the bonus point after another strong run from Szczepanski. An infringement saw the hosts second row earn a yellow card and sit out the remainder of the game. Bridgnorth took advantage of the additional man and after good handling in the backs Elliott Murphy added his second try which he converted to extend the lead to 31-5. There was just time for the hosts to win a line out close to the visitors line and drive over for a converted try to complete the scoring.
With Newport, Sheffield and Bromsgrove all having their games called off due to Covid restrictions the win elevates North to sit at the head of the table over the festive period with the mouth watering prospect of the visit on the 8th January of Bromsgrove who sit second.
