Sat 28 Jan 2023
Bridgnorth were very pleased to take the field after having two weekends cancelled due to frost and flooding. The sponsors and vice-presidents were treated to an excellent lunch in the marquee before the game and huge thanks must go to the staff and volunteers at the club for presenting the marquee and the EDG pitch in remarkable condition after the recent floods.
Bridgnorth started the game showing ambition to play running rugby and this was demonstrated after two minutes with Jordan Burgess making good ground after a strong burst by James Barham playing in the centre. The first scrum followed and after winning the scrum penalty, Bridgnorth opted for the scrum again near the Lichfield line. A rare pushover try was scored with number 8 Connor Nicholls grounding the ball. (The conversion was missed.)
Jordan Burgess continued to show his excellent form and scored the next try after an extraordinary break with a strong hand off and breaking several tackles to cross the line. (The conversion was missed.)
Bridgnorth kept up the pace in attack and defence, second row Ben Rochelle demonstrating first-class technique with a fine jackal turnover penalty. The penalty was kicked to the corner and Bridgnorth won the line out. After an initial strong defensive drive from Lichfield, Bridgnorth cleverly rotated the drive to the right and drove past the Lichfield pack. Prop George Newman grounded the ball for the try. (The conversion was missed.)
The home support did not have to wait long for the next score as high-quality back play saw Jordan Burgess cross for another try. Fly-half Elliot Murphy showing excellent distribution skills. (He also kicked the conversion.) This gave Bridgnorth the four try bonus point after twenty-five minutes of play. Burgess scored his hat-trick try 10 minutes later as he picked up a bouncing pass from Will Bishop and again broke through the Lichfield tackles to score. (The conversion was missed.)
The first half finished with Lichfield attacking but Bridgnorth demonstrating their customary good defence with fine exit kicks from scrum-half Gareth Bladen and defence from flanker Loti Molitika, with one notable strip of the ball from a Lichfield attack. The score at half-time was 27-0.
The second half started with good play from both sides and the kick tennis match resulted in a net gain for Lichfield. However, after only two minutes of the half played centre Will Bishop broke through for a clear run to the posts for a fine try. This was the result of a subtle delay pass from fly-half Elliot Murphy who also kicked the conversion.
Lichfield responded well and after a penalty kick to the corner, an overthrow on their own lineout landed in the arms of their number 7 who had a straightforward run to the line with the Bridgnorth defence lined up for the catch and drive.
There then followed a lull in the excitement as both sides struggled to put together coherent attacks, Bridgnorth threatened but passes to George Bvuma and George Newman didn’t stick. A significant injury to James Barham also saw Connor Nicholls lining up in the backs. The stalemate was briefly broken by the Lichfield prop forward who trundled over the line after selling an outrageous dummy to Jordan Burgess which he bought – hook, line and sinker!
Bridgnorth frustrations were compounded with Ben Rochelle being sent to the sin bin for ten minutes. Bridgnorth’s defence held firm for the ten minutes however.
The last play of the game saw a sweeping move by Bridgnorth from their own 22. Good passing saw Adam Ellis (playing on the wing) make terrific ground on the left before an inside pass to Morgan French saw the second row gallop over for the try. The conversion by Will Bishop made the final score 41-12 to the home side.
This win saw Bridgnorth maintain their 100% record at home at ‘fortress EDG.’ Next week Bridgnorth face a stern test away at Bromsgrove who are second in the table to Bridgnorth’s third place. There then follows a series of three consecutive home games which will hopefully see Bridgnorth continue to push hard for a place at the top of the table.
MATCH PHOTOS TAKEN BY ROBERT NICHOLLS (BRIDGNORTH FACEBOOK PAGE) - CLICK HERE!
