Sat 22 Oct 2022, 15:00
Bridgnorth RFC started the day with 170 people attending the former players lunch. A superb occasion was enjoyed by all (except the Kenilworth RFC committee & blazers who chose to have lunch at the Lion O' Morfe.)
The match kicked off with Kenilworth one place higher than Bridgnorth in the table and after the previous week's reverse at Dudley Kingswinford the home side knew they would be in for a stern test.
This was proved correct as Kenilworth made a confident start with good phases of play. After an attacking scrum on five minutes Kenilworth made a good move down the right and the ball made its way to their right winger who looked likely to score in the corner.
However, he was denied by a strong tackle by the Bridgnorth outside centre although the referee adjudged this to be a high tackle and denying a certain try scoring opportunity.
The result was a penalty try for Kenilworth who with no requirement for the conversion took an early seven-point lead. The Bridgnorth outside centre received a yellow card and was sent to the bin for ten minutes
Bridgnorth raised their game and enjoyed a good period of play, with attack proving the best form of defence they played out the ten minutes with no scoring taking place.
Bridgnorth then made a great move with open side flanker Adam Ellis making excellent ground and managing to offload the ball to the Bridgnorth right winger James Barham to score a well worked try which was converted by Elliot Murphy to level the score at seven all.
Kenilworth themselves responded well however and missed tackles allowed them to score a converted try. These errors were compounded by the Bridgnorth restart not going ten metres and allowing Kenilworth a good attacking position.
From the scrum Bridgnorth again missed two crucial tackles and the Kenilworth backs had a clear run to the line for a converted try. This made the score 7-21.
Kenilworth made a good restart and an attacking kick ahead had to be well cleared by the Bridgnorth full back Will Biddell. The away side continued to play well and the pressure from their strong front row meant Bridgnorth prop George Newman was replaced by fifty one year old prop Russ Gauden after thirty minutes.
Kenilworth were now playing with their tails up and when their inside centre scored a converted try after breaking through attempted tackles the score was 7-28 meaning the away side had a first-half try bonus point.
The Bridgnorth supporters were fearing the worst at this stage after their side had conceded 44 points the week before. However, to their great credit Bridgnorth exerted their own pressure as the half time whistle approached.
Centre Dan Spencer-Tonks made an excellent kick ahead for an attacking 50:22 line out to the home side. Bridgnorth failed to take advantage of this and further opportunities as the ball failed to go to hand and the Kenilworth scrum continued to exert pressure.
Bridgnorth left winger Jordan Burgess made a promising move and was denied by the touch judge's flag. Bridgnorth then had an attacking five metre lineout, after winning the ball the pack drove the ball towards the line, with the backs joining in it was fly half Elliot Murphy who grounded the ball and then converted his own try as the half time whistle went. The home supporters were in a better mood with the score being 14-28 at the break.
Bridgnorth made a good start to the second half as the Kenilworth restart went out on the full. Good attacking play by Bridgnorth was only stopped by an interception by Kenilworth.
Kenilworth then made good ground and after an attacking line out from a penalty they were held up over the line with the Bridgnorth centre Dan Bishop continuing to defend well.
Both sides were now playing well although with perhaps growing frustration the away side conceded a penalty after a fracas involving both sets of players.
Both sides had good attacking opportunities and it took a good clearance by the returning Bridgnorth scrum-half Gareth Bladen to relieve the pressure after twenty minutes of the second half.
Bridgnorth then made another attack with Adam Ellis again making good ground and passing for replacement wing George Bvuma to score. Elliot Murphy kicked an excellent conversion and the home supporters could sense that a remarkable turnaround was on the cards.
Bridgnorth, roared on by their home supporters continued to play well and George Newman then crossed for a try (again converted by Elliot Murphy) to level the scores at 28 all and earn the home side a try bonus point.
Bridgnorth were not settling for the draw however and again drove the ball upfield and with the game in injury time earned a penalty which was kicked by Elliot Murphy to give them a three point lead.
Kenilworth were themselves not finished and after earning a penalty from the kick off kicked the ball into the corner for an attacking line out. However it was the Bridgnorth second row Ben Rochelle who rose to claim the ball and then the home side played a skilful series of ball retention drives until the referee declared the last play of the game. Gareth Bladen kicked the ball into touch to trigger jubilant scenes for the home crowd at the Edgar Davies Ground. The final score being 31-28.
Bridgnorth must take great credit for coming back from 21 points down and not allowing Kenilworth to score in the second half.
In what was a fine match there were many contenders for Bridgnorth man of the match, Jordan Burgess had another fine game, the pack all put in an immense shift and Elliot Murphy scored 16 points. However it was Adam Ellis who was man of the match after a fine debut at open side flanker.
Bridgnorth now travel to Lichfield for their next game. Although sitting below Bridgnorth in the table, Lichfield (having beaten Kenilworth earlier in the season) will be another tough opposition on their home ground.
MATCH PHOTOS - TAKEN BY ROBERT NICHOLLS (BRIDGNORTH RUGBY CLUB FACEBOOK PAGE - CLICK HERE!!
