Bournville produced a superb second-half fightback to claim three valuable points in a pulsating National Two West encounter at Avery Fields.
Bourns were 14 points adrift at the break against a Students side who had already beaten Luctonians this season and were always dangerous in attack.
Having conceded four tries before the break, Bourns kept their line intact in the second-half and secured a deserved share of the spoils when wing Joe Jenkins crossed for an unconverted try in injury-time.
Jacob Fewtrell was unable to add the conversion from the touchline but a draw was probably a fair result from a free-flowing contest which kept a large crowd richly entertained with referee Peter Conner also deserving praise for his empathetic officiating.
Both sides will reflect on missed scoring opportunities but for Bourns this was a hugely encouraging performance and the perfect response to the heavy defeat at Luctonians.
With Jenkins, Sam Grimshaw, Adam Shaw, Kieran Henderson and Callum Nicholls all returning Bourns had the experience and physicality that they had lacked in recent weeks with Birmingham University centre/wing Will Loftus also impressing in his first outing in two seasons.
Grimshaw marked his return with two first-half tries, the first from a cheeky chip over the defence and a follow-up to score under the posts, the second when he stepped out of one tackle and then accelerated away to score.
Bourns dominated the contact area but struggled to turn possession into more points as handling errors proved costly and Loughborough were quick to capitalise on the mistakes by using their pacy backs to stretch the defence.
Left wing Freddie Brown picked a gap in the defence to open the scoring after three minutes and when Bournville turned over possession in attack, the Students’ number eight Finn White had the pace and strength to apply the punishment.
Brown scored his second try from a kick and chase and although Grimshaw’s second try reduced the deficit to seven points, Loughborough extended their lead in the 37th minute when scrum-half Ellis James dotted down from close range after a series of pick-and-goes.
In recent weeks Bourns have been vulnerable immediately after half-time but they put in a big defensive shift for ten minutes to frustrate Loughborough and made the most of their first attacking opportunity of the half when Oscar Fawkes-Underwood rounded off a flowing attack in which Jenkins was prominent.
Loughborough were rattled and they required a penalty from fly-half Felix Champlin to take their lead to 12 points after 59 minutes but Bourns dug deep and hit back with a try from hooker Jamie Harding from a lineout drive ten minutes from time.
Jenkins’ score came after Loughborough lost the ball in attack and with sufficient injury-time left for Bourns to launch one final attack which ended with a fumbled pass but plenty of credit for all 20 players.
*Bournville Blues were edged out 39-37 by Harbury at Avery Fields in Counties Two Midlands West (East).
The Blues banked two bonus points but their three match winning streak came to an end.
Through the viewfinder
What a marvellous day! The sun was out, the wind was light, met some Bournville Old Boys from my playing days and we didn’t lose!
What’s not to like?
To keep things short, here is the link below to some photos I took of the game.
Sully, Bournville’s always friendly (and free) photographer.
