Bournville 29 Dudley Kingswinford 22

Published on: 9th September 2023

Bournville 29 Dudley Kingswinford 22

Bournville, fired by a half-time rocket from head coach Matt Price, produced a composed second-half performance to wrap up a maximum points win in this frenetic local derby played in sweltering conditions at Avery Fields.

DK, back in the National Leagues for the first time in nine years, were 15-0 up after 35 minutes but their indiscipline in losing two players to the sin bin in quick succession either side of the break opened the door for Bournville.

Three tries in an 11-minute purple patch while DK were down to 14 men – and 13 for three minutes – swung momentum decisively in Bournville’s favour as did a few well-chosen words from Price in the changing rooms at the interval.

“At half-time we had a few chats about our energy and where we wanted to be because we weren’t quite at the races in the first-half,” Price said.

“Fair play to DK, they pinned us in areas and forced some mistakes which are not normally in our repertoire.

“We had a few choice words at half-time and asked a few serious questions but in the second-half the boys answered them. They came out and delivered so it’s all good.

“When it’s a local derby, it’s full-on and hard work. The lads did problem-solve and it was good to see them do that.”

The problem-solving involved tightening up at the line-out after DK scored twice in the first quarter with lock Jasper Smith and tighthead prop Chad Thorne going over from close range.

Sustained pressure produced another try for wing Ryan Smitheman but with fly-half James Mann missing all his conversions, Bournville were always within one score of getting back into the game.

That came in the final minute of the first-half when Smith was sin-binned after DK conceded a succession of penalties close to the line and Bournville capitalised with right wing Alex Evans collecting a chip to score in the corner.

DK’s 14 became 13 when full-back Mark Harrison joined Smith on the naughty step and Bournville again made the most of their numerical superiority by stretching the visitors’ defence to set up Nathan Decalmer for a try that Jacob Fewtrell improved.

Smith was back on the pitch but DK were still down to 14 when another sharp attack was finished by hooker Jake Bailey and converted by Fewtrell to give Bournville the lead for the first time.

DK regained it when number eight Callum Nicholls scored from close-range and this time Mann landed a simple conversion.

But Fewtrell levelled with a penalty 12 minutes from time before Bournville secured the try bonus point and victory when Sam Grimshaw went over 10 minutes from time and Fewtrell added the extras.

Despite the energy-sapping conditions on the hottest day of the year both sides contributed to a typically tight local derby in front of a sun-baked crowd.

“The weather was extremely hot and it was hard for the big lads,” Price said.

“We had spoken about it in our preparation. From Thursday onwards it was important that everyone was well-hydrated but we still saw a few lads go down injured and with cramp.

“It was tough for both sides but, luckily, we came out on top.

“It’s a win, it’s at home and it’s a bonus point win in a local derby. That’s our first one and it’s nice to kick start our season at home with a win.

“I think there were a lot of nerves beforehand – we felt that on Thursday – and that went into the first-half. But I’m glad that we came out, fronted up and turned it round in the second-half.”