Sheffield Tigers 10 Bournville 44
Bournville completed their match preparations for the new National Two West season with an emphatic victory at Dore Moor.
After a tough assignment against Bridgend Ravens last week, Bournville looked sharp and well-organised against opponents who finished seventh in National Two North last season.
Twelve months ago Bournville won the corresponding fixture at Avery Fields 31-14 and they will hope that this result will tee them up for the league opener against Devonport Services at home on September 7.
Bournville used a strong set piece game as the platform for victory here and kicked intelligently, particularly in the opening period when they had a stiff breeze behind them.
Importantly, all 27-players in the squad were given valuable game time and another opportunity for new players and new combinations to bed in.
Wing Nathan Decalmer, last season’s leading try-scorer, looked slick on his return to action after recovering from injury and Joe Nellany fitted in well in the centre.
Hooker Jake Bailey and centre Sam Grimshaw both showed the benefit of playing club rugby in Australia over the summer and both impressed in their first appearances in pre-season.
Jonjo Fanning, who stood out in the victory over Bromsgrove in the first of those games, again carried powerfully and won a couple of important turn overs in another eye-catching performance.
Bailey got on the scoresheet with a try with the other tries coming from Owen Williams, James Mann, Lewis Hall, Kier Henderson and a penalty try.
