Bournville Forwards Coach Tom Manise admitted that four yellow cards hurt the side in the 70-28 defeat at Hinckley.
Bourns lost front-row forwards Jake Thompson and Jamie Harding to the sin bin in quick succession in the first-half, followed by full-back Joe Jenkins with wing Sam Peppitt spending time on the naughty step in the second period.
Hinckley took full advantage, scoring 50 of their points – including 36 of their first 39 – during the time they had a numerical advantage, with Bourns showing what might have been achieved with 15 players on the pitch throughout by salvaging a try bonus point.
“We talked about having a good start and discipline. We got a good start, we achieved that bit, but I think we forgot about the discipline a little bit,” Manise said.
“The yellow cards hurt us and it was hard to gain the momentum back once we had lost it.
“We want to perform well. Although we went at it to the end and we got a point, performance is key. Our 28 points look good, our maul was strong, so there were elements of it that are there but there a couple of a little work-ons that we need to fix.
“It’s a bit like avalanche theory. Once you get one or two little things going against you it can spiral out of control. We let that happen today. We lacked something to stop that avalanche and turn it around.
“Hinckley did really well as well. Once they got the momentum and their foot in the door they just kept coming at us. Every time they got on the ball they got better and better.”
With National Two West matches coming thick and fast, Bourns have the opportunity to bounce back when Cinderford visit Avery Fields next Saturday.
“We have to regroup and go again. We know where we have gone wrong, it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to work out what has happened on the pitch, there’s no great secret to it,” Manise said.
“We have got to look to build again and rock up on Tuesday and be as positive as we can, try to enjoy it as much as we can and get as much energy as we can for a fresh challenge.
“We want to turn Avery Fields into a kind of fortress. We talked about it at the start of the season. We are one from one at the moment and we want to make it two from two. The only way we are going to do that is in a positive way and to do the business on Saturday.”
