Bourns bite Tigers with gutsy win

Bournville 12 Sheffield Tigers 0

Bournville will head into the Regional One Midlands season in good heart after battling the elements and National Two opposition to bank a deserved win in the last of their two warm-up matches at Avery Fields.

A strong downfield wind and driving throughout meant there was never going to be a repeat of the free-flowing spectacle of the previous week against Silhillians. The conditions contributed to handling errors on both sides but Bournville found another way of winning, digging deep in defence and denying their National Two North visitors a score.

Although this match was played in thirds – the first of 30 minutes followed by two of 25 minutes each – it was very competitive, occasionally feisty and it gave both sides the opportunity to give valuable game time to their wider squads.

Bourns had their least experienced XV on the pitch for the final third but the newcomers – including centre Jamie Maynard and wing Ben Fellows – fronted up and ensured a defensive shut-out.

“We are obviously happy to get a win against a National Two side but today was about seeing different players and using as much of the squad as we could and looking at different combinations and to do both those things is very pleasing,” said Head Coach Alex Grove.

“I was really pleased with our set piece, that looked particularly strong in the first period. Our drive worked particularly strong.

“Both teams’ attacks were limited because of the conditions but I felt we adapted well to the conditions. After the first period our kicking game improved but we were I supposed helped by having the wind behind us and we spent a bit more time into the opposition half.”

Bournville’s tries came from Jonjo Fanning, who started at hooker before switching to the back-row, after three minutes which Jacob Fewtrell converted and from centre Sam Grimshaw, who latched onto a loose ball and dribbled over nine minutes later.

Two more opportunities to turn intense forward pressure close to Tigers’ line were missed but Bourns emerged with plenty of credit for their commitment and organisation under pressure in defence.

“We have Nuneaton first up in the league, the Blues also have a game and there a number of players who have put their hand up,” Grove said.

“It gives us a bit of thinking to do and there is only a matchday squad of 18. There are certainly more than that who have put their hands up.

“So it’s really competitive but as a coaching group that is exactly how we want it. We have a few guys with niggles who might not be available but we have excellent replacements if that is the case.

“If you are going to do well in these leagues it’s not just about your starting fifteen. It’s what you have behind that because of injuries and unavailability.

“The guys that stepped in today, some were inexperienced but they looked very much at home and in particular Ben Fellows who played his second-ever game of men’s rugby. So for him to play half a match and do that was really impressive.”

There were also welcome returns to action for number eight Chris Idehen and centre Josh Bloomfield after long periods out with serious injuries.

Idehen impressed in the first period in his first appearance since he suffered an Achilles tendon injury against Loughborough Students last October and Bloomfield looked sharp in attack and solid in defence having missed all of last season with a broken ankle.

“It was the first game back after a long time out for those guys,” Grove said. “Josh has looked really sharp over pre-season as has Chris so for them to come through unscathed and make a real impact was brilliant.

“I am sure that they are going to feature a lot for us this season.”