Bournville 50 Taunton Titans 43
Bournville pulled off a stunning victory against one of National Two West’s form sides with a last-gasp wonder try from wing Nathan Decalmer which brought the house down at Avery Fields.
Having suffered seven straight defeats Bourns appeared to have secured a draw when referee Dan Parrott awarded a 78th minute penalty try when Taunton were driven back 22 yards from a lineout and then collapsed the maul.
Most sides would have been happy to have settled for a share of the spoils but not Bournville. Rhys Williams collected the re-start kick and Jacob Fewtrell was quick to spot an opportunity for Decalmer.
A pinpoint accurate crossfield kick was gathered by the left wing who then scorched away, eluding three would-be tacklers, to score what could be the division’s try of the season.
Bournville deserved the win because of their attacking ambition for the full 80 minutes and although things did not always go to plan, they showed outstanding commitment, focus and teamwork to pull off a memorable victory.
There were huge contributions across the pitch with Stef Thorp producing a destructive scrummaging display, Fewtrell a composed display at fly-half, Jonjo Fanning crossing for two close range tries and Rob Knox playing like a man possessed despite being sick before, during and after the match.
Scrum-half Reiss Price marked his first start and home debut with the opening try after just two minutes and the backs enjoyed his quick service.
But this was very much a team performance and one that Bournville needed to break the losing streak that stretched back to early November.
Taunton played a full part in the entertainment although they looked stunned at the end of the game having appeared the most likely winners until the 78th minute.
But Bournville had made their intentions clear long before then with a first half performance that stretched the former National One side.
Price went over for a second minute try after he tapped and ran a penalty close to the line and Freddie Morgan, who enjoyed himself at full-back, added the extras.
Taunton responded with the first of two tries for openside flanker Charlie Wright which sandwiched one from Alex Evans after a clever interchange with Morgan.
Morgan then rounded off a superb left-to-right attack and added the conversion followed by a penalty before Taunton scored with the final play of the first-half when fly-half Louie Sinclair slipped through to reduce the deficit to three points.
It was 22-22 within seven minutes of the re-start when Sinclair kicked a penalty and Taunton took the lead for the first time on 51 minutes when right wing Marcus Heath found a gap and Sinclair converted.
Bournville’s response came with a series of powerful scrums which gave them the position from which Fanning was able to go over from close-range.
Back came Taunton with a try from centre Nick Heath and a conversion from Sinclair but Bournville’s pressure forced a succession of penalties and Fanning again applied the punishment with a pushover try.
Mason’s second try with just four minutes on the clock looked likely to be the deciding score but Bournville roused themselves for one – two as it turned out – last efforts.
Taunton were penalised for an illegal clear-out from the re-start, Fewtrell kicked the penalty to the 22 and a steamroller maul won the penalty try decision.
Most spectators thought that Bournville would collect the re-start, run-down the clock and bank three points, but Decalmer’s brilliance meant they secured all five.
Credit should also go to referee Dan Parrott for his light-touch and empathetic officiating which allowed both teams to produce a match to remember.
*Centre Sam Grimshaw made his comeback from injury for Bournville Blues in their Counties Three Midlands West (South) match against Cleobury Mortimer at Avery Fields but was unable to prevent them from slipping to a 46-29 defeat.
The Blues are now in fourth place in the table, eight points behind new leaders Woodrush who beat Hereford IIs while previous leaders Upton on Severn, who visit Avery Fields next Saturday, were beaten by Dudley Kingswinford IIs.
Through the Viewfinder
What an awesome display!
We have been so close, so many times this season, but finally all the pieces of the jigsaw dropped into place.
The game had everything.
Here are a few photos to add to the huge amount already published.
Sully, Bournville’s always friendly (and free) photographer.
Andrew McCumiskey’s photos can be found here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/16147929@N08/albums/72177720323273609