Sat 1 Oct 2022
Bridgnorth welcomed Derby to the Edgar Davies Ground with the visitors having won their first 4 games in the Regional 1 Midlands league. George Newman led the Bridgnorth team out on the day he won his 50th cap for the club.
Derby started the game well and this pressure was rewarded after 6 minutes with a penalty that went in off the post. Bridgnorth slowly got into the game and although playing well, handling errors meant they were unable to turn pressure into points.
Derby then broke away and their left winger chased down a kick ahead to score a converted try.
Derby then went down to 14 men when they received a red card for a dangerous tackle. Bridngorth opted for the scrum but again were unable to capitalise after a grubber kick was well defended by Derby.
Derby continued to play well with their skilful offloading game enabling them to make good ground towards the Bridgnorth line. Bridgnorth then received a yellow card for a no arms tackle near the posts, Derby kicking the resulting penalty.
Bridgnorth made some early changes and winger James Barham scored a strong unconverted try in the right hand corner.
Derby responded well and forced the home team to carry the ball over their line, Bridgnorth defended well however and were able to move up the field with replacement Loti Molitika scoring an unconverted try just before half time. The score was 10-13 at the break.
Bridgnorth started the second half well and after kicking a penalty to the corner Luis Evitt touched down for a try which was converted by Will Bishop meaning Bridgnorth took the lead for the first time in the game.
Derby did not let their heads drop and their ability to step out of the first tackle was rewarded with another successful penalty kick.
Bridgnorth's scrum then started to gain dominance and the home team enjoyed their best period of play. After being held up over the line after one attack, number 8 Connor Nicholls then crashed over for an unconverted try and a bonus point.
Good attack and defence by both sides provided great entertainment for the watching crowd with both sides almost scoring through attacking line outs.
As the game entered its final period, Derby continued to attack and after another kick to the corner Bridgnorth received another yellow card for collapsing the attacking maul.
Derby again kicked to the corner and scored a converted try to take the lead 22-23 as the game entered injury time.
Bridgnorth threw caution to the wind and almost scored when Jordan Burgess was judged to have stepped into touch.
The home side continued to attack and roared on by the home crowd, they were awarded a penalty near the posts but instead of taking the 3 points on offer took a quick tap to run the ball towards the line.
After being held up, George Newman then drove over the line to score a remarkable try making the final score 27-23.
Both sides played the game with attacking intent and credit must go to the visitors after playing the majority of the game with 14 men.
Bridgnorth now have a week off before travelling to Heathbrook to play Dudley Kingswinford in the local derby.
Photos taken by Robert Nicholls (Facebook) - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=robert.nicholls.52&set=a.10160308978202351
