HONOURS EVEN IN PULSATING CONTEST

Published on: 13th November 2022

BOURNVILLE 38 LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS 38

Report by Billy Page

A pulsating 38 all draw with both sides walking away with the try bonus point as well on what was a balmy November afternoon. Bourns asserted their dominance early and Max Craven dispatched his first penalty after 2mins. Two quick-fire tries to the students for Oscar Daniel and Chris Preen with Tom Smith adding a conversion before Tom Burrows dotted down and Craven adding the extras for a 12-10 scoreline after 20mins. A Mikey Ho try either side of two Craven penalties saw Bournville in at half time with a well-deserved 23-12 lead.

Against the elements and the early run of play in the second half, the students raced into the lead with two well-taken tries to both Smith and Daniel adding his second before Fergus Dick stretched the lead even further when he scored with 20 minutes to go. Bourns pack began to turn the tide of the game and a penalty try was awarded after a number of reset scrums and two yellow cards. Burrows scooted over for his second to tie the scores up and Craven was narrowly wide with the conversion and then hit the post with a late penalty attempt.

Overall a draw was a fair result with both sides enjoying periods of dominance throughout the match. A coat of paint away from the first win of the year but the signs are there that it is not far off.

1; Tom Burrows; finished both his opportunities superbly and looked for work throughout
2; James Burgoyne; had both opposition tight heads all at sea and was dominant around the park on both attack and defence
3 and star man; Max Craven; kept the Bourns scoreboard ticking over throughout the match and put on a fine defensive display In the middle of the park.