Sat 8 Jan 2022
This top of the table clash was to coincide with North holding their Diamond Jubilee lunch having played their first game 60 years ago on 6th January 1962, the committee deciding to postpone the event due to current Covid concerns. Bridgnorth opened the scoring with an Elliott Murphy penalty when the visitors infringed following a strong run from Ted Parker. Grove then missed a fairly simple penalty attempt before North increased the lead when Parker intercepted a stray pass to put Will Biddell in at the corner for an unconverted try. Bromsgrove then enjoyed their best period of the game and took a 13 - 8 lead with two penalties and a converted try. The home side were gaining the ascendancy in the set piece and opted for a scrum when awarded a penalty close the visitors line. After several phases of play George Newman powered over for a try which Murphy converted to retake the lead. North spent the rest of the half camped on the Grove line but were held out to make the half time score 15 - 13 in favour of the hosts.
From the restart Grove conceded a penalty and Murphy was able the extend the lead. A deliberate knock on then saw the visitors centre spend 10 minutes in the bin and North opted to kick for touch to take advantage of the numerical superiority, Jordan Burgess powering through for an unconverted try. Marley Finn came off the bench and with the visitors back to full strength they kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears to just 7 points. Half way through the second period play was halted following a serious arm injury to number eight Connor Nicholls, over several seasons Connor has made the number eight shirt his own and everyone at the club wish him well for a speedy recovery. With Joe Cave coming on Grove then closed the gap to just four points with a penalty but any concerns the home supporters had were soon diminished when Loti Molitika forced his way over from close range to earn his side the bonus point with Murphy converting. Any remaining doubts were extinguished when great defence from Morgan French won his side a turnover, an intelligent kick ahead by scrum half Gareth Bladen gave Burgess the chance to bag his second try and complete the scoring at 35 - 19. A close encounter throughout until the final few minutes, the home side in the end ran out emphatic winners scoring five tries to one to maintain their position at the head of the table. Next week North travel to Burton.
PS: (photo enclosed of Karen Sawbridge and Clare Foster, a unique occasion with the Chair of each club being a lady. Karen was also awarded a British Empire Medal in the new years honours list for services to grass roots rugby and to the community of Bridgnorth)
