Sat 4 Mar 2023, 15:00
Bridgnorth travelled to Stoke on Trent RUFC for the first time since November 2015, their blazer brigade was warmly greeted by the Stoke committee and enjoyed the pre-match hospitality. Bridgnorth started the game well, an Adam Ellis turnover was well used by wing George Bvuma who fed second row Morgan French, he passed to Jordan Burgess and the centre scored the game’s opening try in the first minute of play. (Unconverted.)
Stoke responded well and despite conceding a penalty to Bridgnorth’s powerful pack at the first scrum they put together several attacking phases. Their cause was helped by two Bridgnorth kicks downfield which, with the pressure of the Stoke attack, would have been better finding touch. The Stoke attack continued and slick handling put their left wing over for a good converted try.
With a dry playing surface both sides continued to play good attacking rugby, after a great break by prop George Newman Bridgnorth were awarded a penalty and opted for the scrum. The Bridgnorth pack drove their opponents back and the away side were awarded another penalty, scrum-half Gareth Bladen took a quick tap and ran through the home defence for a converted try.
From the restart wing Adam Ellis made a fine break and passed to centre James Barham, he produced a characteristic strong run and with a hand off on the opposition crossed for a converted try. Stoke did not let the widening gap in the scores concern them as they made their way up field and kicked a penalty for an attacking lineout. In what was a feature of their play for the whole game they set up a good drive from the lineout for the try, this was converted by their fly-half whose place kicking was also reliable for the afternoon.
The free scoring continued (only interrupted by a brief fracas with a player from each side going into the sin bin) and Bridgnorth attacked the home side’s line, a promising attack was held up over the line and Bridgnorth gathered the drop out restart. The away side pressed home their advantage and hooker Nick Selway drove over to score a converted try which gave them a first half try bonus point. Stoke predictably responded well and after further pressure from another attacking lineout, their fly-half crossed for a try which he converted himself. This made the half time score 21-26.
Stoke sustained their scoring at the opening of the second half and scored two quick converted tries, the first after a nice inside pass from the scrum-half to their blind-side flanker and the second a penalty try after Bridgnorth were judged to have illegally stopped the home team’s drive after another attacking penalty lineout. (This also resulted in captain Jonah Boyce receiving a yellow card.)
Bridgnorth survived the ten-minute period without conceding and mounting resistance showed that attack is the best form of defence. Stoke were to score next however, a penalty kick making the score 38-26 and the travelling support were hoping the Bridgnorth stubborn spirit would rise to the surface. This was the case as the away side kicked to a five-metre penalty lineout which was unfortunately judged not straight and the next drive being held up over the line. Fly-half Elliot Murphy pressed home the advantage and crossed for a try which he converted himself.
Stoke were not about to lie down and roll over however, a high kick ahead by the home side was not dealt with by Bridgnorth, several players failed to claim the ball and they committed the cardinal sin of allowing the ball to bounce. Stoke took full advantage and hacked the ball on and then gathered it to score another converted try to restore their twelve point advantage.
Bridgnorth bounced back on the offensive and after numerous phases Jordan Burgess crossed for his second try, converted by Murphy to make the score 45-40. Bridgnorth sensed a dramatic victory as the game went into added time, with great field position after an excellent kick by Murphy they piled forwards towards the Stoke try line. A series of pick and drive moves on the home side’s line looked likely to yield a try but with what was the final play of the game the referee judged that Bridgnorth had knocked the ball on and blew the final whistle.
Bridgnorth will be disappointed with the defeat but must take credit for fighting until the final whistle. This character will be required for the next two weeks as Bridgnorth have back to back home games against second place Syston and then Dudley Kingswinford who remain at the top of the table. As always, a strong home support will be welcome.
Match Photos taken by Robert Nicholls (BRFC Facebook Page) - Click Here!
