Bridgnorth 24 Bournville 17
Bournville had to settle for a losing bonus point on the road after they were frustrated by a streetwise Bridgnorth side at the Edgar Davies Ground.
Bridgnorth had the edge in the set pieces – particularly in the lineout where Bourns malfunctioned – and also succeeded in slowing the game down to deny Bournville the pace and quick ball they wanted.
When Bournville did managed to up the tempo they were rewarded with well-worked tries from wing Adam Collingwood – his second of the season – and another opportunist one from scrum-half Reiss Price.
But the moments of cohesion were interspersed with long periods of frustration with lost lineout ball preventing Bournville from converting possession and territory into more points.
Bridgnorth’s pragmatic approach brought centre Elliot Murphy four penalties, three of them in the first-half, but it was two tries in a five minute period either side of half-time that left Bourns playing catch-up.
First hooker George Newman was driven over from a lineout catch and drive, then right wing Luke Brough crossed on the overlap after Bournville failed to secure a lineout.
Price’s try and a penalty from Jacob Fewtrell, which he added to two conversions, reduced the deficit to four points with a quarter of the match still to play.
But Murphy’s fourth penalty ten minutes from time put Bourns under pressure again.
Wing Cam Smith was unfortunate to be denied a try after he was adjudged to have put a foot in touch by the Bridgnorth touch judge after he had enjoyed an opportunity to show his paces on debut.
Mauro Miller, who impressed on the wing against Nuneaton last week, also showed up well, this time at full-back but the lack of quality ball from the lineout meant that Bourns struggled to build a platform from which the backs could threaten more regularly.
Bournville did throw everything into attack in the final five minutes but Bridgnorth cramped them for space and held on for their first win of the season.
The celebrations of Bridgnorth players and supporters in front of their impressive new clubhouse were a reminder that, having come down from the National Leagues, Bourns are going to be a prized scalp for the other Regional One Midlands clubs.
*Bournville Blues earned their first league win of the season with a bonus point 47-12 victory over Harbury at Avery Fields in Counties Two Midlands West (East).
A dominant scrum – the Blues took three against the head – laid the foundations for an emphatic win which included seven tries, six of them converted by scrum-half George Ayliffe.
Number eight Ben Harper took the Man of the Match award for a rampaging performance which included a try with Niall Demel, Harry Belcher, Eddie Wiggins, Ollie Morris and Kieran McGuire also crossing.
Harbury’s two tries were scored in a 20-minute period either side of half-time when the Blues were penalised for some ill-discipline.
