Sat 26 Nov 2022, 14:15
Bridgnorth returned to the banks of the Severn having only played three out of ten matches at home this season. However these games were all victories and after losing their last two games away the club and supporters were happy to see the team return to "Fortress EDG." Stoke's record found them in the lower half of the table, however having beaten Syston the previous game and Bridgnorth losing to Oundle the men in black knew that a convincing performance was required.
Bridgnorth were led out by Ben Rochelle on the occasion of his 200th game for the first team, a superb achievement for the local man and it was excellent for him to have his family at the ground for support.
The game kicked off and Stoke made a promising start with a big break from one of their burly forwards, good defence from Bridgnorth saw them win a turnover penalty to relieve the early pressure.
The first quarter of the game saw good play from both sides with attacks being repelled with strong defence or failing due to handling errors. It was Stoke who scored first with a loose ball hack kicked through and the referee judging that the Stoke back had gathered and grounded the ball over the line (despite the protestations from the home support.) The try was successfully converted.
Bridgnorth came straight back into the game from the kick off and attacking play saw them move towards the Stoke line. A penalty was kicked to the corner and a good catch and drive from the lineout saw Luis Evitt ground the ball for the try. The conversion was missed. With the game continuing at pace the Bridgnorth management decided to make a three man substitution on the half hour mark with three forwards coming on to keep the momentum up.
Bridgnorth continued to play well but it was Stoke who scored next with a chip kick over the Bridgnorth backs that was well gathered by their outside centre who managed to make the corner for an unconverted try.
Again, Bridgnorth went straight back up the other end of the field and pressured the Stoke line, playing with penalty advantage Luis Evitt scored again for his brace, the conversion by Elliot Murphy tying the score at 12-12.
The 'to and fro' pattern of the game continued and Stoke responded, attacking near the Bridgnorth line. Number 8 Connor Nicholls was sent to the sin bin and Stoke kicked to the corner. Stoke's forward thrusts were thwarted by Bridgnorth 'D' but Stoke then went wide and their left wing crossed for an unconverted try. The half time whistle blew with the score 12-17.
Bridgnorth, now attacking towards their home support, started the second half well, wing James Barham prominent in attack. With Connor Nicholls back on the pitch, the number 8 made a strong break and good hands saw the ball kept alive among the forwards, the ball found its way to Loti Molitika and the back row forced his way for an excellent try converted by Murphy with the home crowd 'banging the boards' in celebration.
A good Bridgnorth lineout take by Nicholls led to a great break by wing Jordan Burgess, this set up a strong attack and Elliot Murphy crossed for the bonus point, the fly half converting his own try.
The scrum was secure for both sides but a worrying aspect to the Bridgnorth play was the unreliability of their lineout, with the winter weather to come and the league season finishing in the middle of March a secure lineout will help their cause enormously.
The final quarter of the game was played at the same high standard, several penalties to Stoke kept the pressure on Bridgnorth and with another player in the sin bin, Stoke kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit to six points.
Some Bridgnorth supporters were calling for the ball to be kicked wide with the southerly wind but the home side kept moving the game well on the Bandon Lane side of the ground.
Both sides kicked penalties as the game reached its closing stages, the final score being 29-23 and Stoke taking a losing bonus point.
This was a fine game for both sets of supporters and with the superb playing surface of the EDG it would be encouraging to see more home supporters cheering their team on.
The five points moved Bridgnorth up to third in the table at the end of the first half of the season.
There is another 'green, green grass of home' game next week vs Broadstreet. The ladies day lunch is beforehand with "Tom Jones Tribute."
MATCH PHOTOS - Taken by Robert Nicholls (BRFC Facebook) - CLICK HERE
MATCH PHOTOS - Taken by Dave Cooper (BRFC Facebook) - CLICK HERE
