Bournville 12 Old Redcliffians 23
Bournville were frustrated by Old Redcliffians whose ferocious defence denied them a try for the first time this season.
Bournville also missed out on the consolation of a bonus point despite long periods of pressure in the second-half in which the line was often tantalisingly close but frustratingly so far away.
Instead Bournville had to rely on four penalties from scrum-half Freddie Morgan for their points while Old Reds scored three tries, with a breakaway effort from hooker Tom McLean ten minutes from time proving decisive.
Bourns were again left to reflect on what might have been with two reversed penalties proving costly as Old Reds went back to Bristol with their first away win of the season.
In the first-half Bournville were about to be awarded a pressure relieving penalty when Owen Williams was taken out in the air, only for Joe Jenkins to be sin-binned for his part in the flare-up that followed and that allowed Jack Gapper to land three points for Old Redcliffians.
Late in the second-half Bournville were awarded an attacking penalty when the result was still in the balance but that was reversed, Chad Thorne was sent to the bin and Old Redcliffians were able to relieve the pressure.
It was a frustrating afternoon all round with heavy drizzle and numbing cold making things even more miserable for a decent-sized crowd, swelled by a gathering of former players for a pre-match lunch.
Having conceded 21 points in the opening six minutes at Exeter University last week, Bournville were much more controlled and composed at the start here as they played pragmatic rugby in the first 30 minutes and went 9-0 up with three penalties from Morgan.
But Old Reds went into the break two points in front with two penalties from Gapper either side of a try from full-back Finn Murphy after a swift counter-attack.
Morgan regained the lead with his fourth penalty three minutes into the second period but it lasted only four minutes before another penalty gave Old Reds the chance to kick to the corner and to mount a series of pick-and-goes which ended with replacement prop Joe Rogers burrowing over.
Bournvile threw everything at Old Reds in the final quarter with wing Nathan Decalmer and replacement centre Rob Knox both going agonisingly close.
But Old Reds’ defence held firm and they were quick to turn defence into attack when Bournville lost possession in attack close to half-way and McLean galloped over.
*Bournville Blues were edged out 10-7 by Edwardians seconds in the Counties Three Midlands West (South) match on the bottom pitch at Avery Fields.
A try from blindside flanker Keir Henderson and conversion from fly-half George Ayliffe gave the Blues the lead after a scoreless first-half but Edwardians snatched victory with a late score.
It was a second successive defeat for the Blues who are now second in the table, six points behind unbeaten leaders Upton-on-Severn
Through the viewfinder
I think Steve Borthwick put it well on 5 Live, although I didn’t see him at the game.
“These are painful days.
We are putting ourselves in positions to win games and not taking them.
These days are tough, but we will persevere and be better for these experiences.”
Here is a link to the photos of the game.
Sully, Bournville’s always friendly (and free) photographer
