Bournville’s quartet of front row forwards emerged from the mud at Drybrook’s Mannings Ground as the unsung heroes of Saturday’s 29-0 Regional One Midlands victory.
Bourns were reduced to just four fit and available front-row forwards by injuries with Poland Under-20s international Kuba Kijak recalled from a loan spell at Old Halesonians for his first start in almost three years.
Kijak went the full 80 minutes at tighthead while loosehead Scott Rudge played all but two minutes of the match in testing conditions which meant that number eight Jonjo Fanning, who was covering both prop positions, was only required to switch to the front row for one scrum.
In contrast, Bourns had an embarrassment of riches at hooker with Ben Rhodes and Jamie Harding, on loan from Birmingham Moseley, sharing the duties with Rhodes starting at Drybrook and Harding making an impact off the bench in the second-half.
“With the Drybrook match being postponed three times we did have a number of players who were unavailable last week, particularly at prop,” said Bournville Manging Director Phil Maynard.
“But full credit to Kuba and Scott Rudge for both playing virtually the whole 80 minutes on a very heavy pitch.
“Kuba has been on loan at Old Halesonians so he is match fit which is a benefit when he comes back to us. He just fits in seamlessly like he did at Drybrook.
“I thought he had a good game. He made very few mistakes and he scrummaged really well. He also tidied up a lineout and put Kieran Henderson away for our second try so he more than held his own.
“Of course, Rudgey is one of the players of the season. He has been outstanding, not just in the scrum but also in the loose. He was a little bit unfortunate on Saturday with a couple of decisions that went against him at the scrum but otherwise he was exceptional again.
“We also have the two best hookers in the league in Ben Rhodes and Jamie Harding. They are both playing an equal part this season, whichever one of the starts, and they have both been key to our success.”
Bourns, who went five points clear of Newport at the top of the table, head to Lichfield’s Cooke Fields ground this Saturday (2.15pm).
