Bournville 47 Lichfield 17
The final scoreline may have been comfortable enough but it does not reflect how hard Bournville had to work for a fifth straight home win which took them to the top of Regional One Midlands.
Although seven tries were scored Bourns needed a huge defensive shift to subdue a lively Lichfield side who threw everything at them for the full 80 minutes.
The bonus point win combined with Stourbridge’s defeat by Newport enabled Bourns to leapfrog Stourbridge and lead the table by a point.
The key period came in the first-half when, after Ben Rhodes had crossed for the opening try, Lichfield enjoyed plenty of possession and territory but had just a penalty from Charlie Milner to show for their efforts. Bourns had to absorb plenty of pressure during that period but the defence held firm before a devastating burst of three tries in the last eight minutes of the first-half sealed the try bonus point and, in effect, victory.
After a jittery period with ball in hand, it all clicked for Bourns with Nathan Decalmer setting up Mauro Miller with a deft chip after his angled run had opened up Lichfield’s defence.
Decalmer then brought the house down with a length-of-the-pitch try which was spectacular even by his own high standards. Bournville were scrabbling in defence close to their own line when Mikey Ho spotted the opportunity to unleash Decalmer whose acceleration and subtle changes of pace took him past five defenders for a stunning score and his tenth try in four matches.
When Harry Dawson was driven over from the final play of the half, Bourns had the bonus point in the bag and a 23 points advantage to take into the break.
Bourns increased their lead to 37 points when they were quick to turn defence into attack to send Ho over before Dawson, a late inclusion for injured skipper Ben Meakin, got his second, throwing in a side-step for good measure.
Lichfield kept plugging away and their persistence was rewarded when left wing Kai Lucas-Dumolo crossed on the overlap but that score was cancelled out by Ho who snaffled an interception close to halfway before racing clear for the seventh try to which Jacob Fewtrell added his sixth conversion.
There was time for Lichfield to score a second consolation try through lock Guy Fields but by then Bourns were celebrating a sixth win in eight games in an encouraging start to the season.
There were busy performances in defence from Adam Shaw, back after serving a three-match suspension following his sending-off at Bromsgrove, and Joe Jenkins, who worked well with his centre partner Josh Bloomfield, who carried effectively on his return from a two-month injury lay-off.
*Bournville Blues were beaten 45-26 at Southam in Counties Two Midlands West (East).
Through the viewfinder
Another excellent report by Paul Bolton, together with another superb team display and result by Bournville.
For those non-Facebook supporters, here are some photos from the game.
Sully, Bournville’s always friendly (and free) club photographer
