Head Coach Matt Price had mixed emotions after Bournville’s 31-28 defeat against Macclesfield at Priory Park.
There was pride in the resilience and determination that secured two bonus points with a stirring late fightback but also frustration that for long periods of the match, Bourns struggled to cope with the physicality and aggression of newly-promoted Macclesfield.
“I am pleased that we came away with two points because on 60 minutes it looked like we wouldn’t come away with anything,” Price said.
“I’m pleased that the boys kept at it and showed some real attacking intent in the last 20 minutes. To get two points out of where we were on 60 minutes was pleasing.
“But if had won it would have been daylight robbery. When you don’t have a set piece to launch off and you make mistakes and give them easy ball – their first two tries came from our errors – you are fighting an uphill battle, especially away from home.
“It’s frustrating. The boys are frustrated and they are annoyed we didn’t play the game we wanted to. But we have come away with two points away from home. We have to regroup and go again against Redruth at home.”
Although Macclesfield are new to the league they earned a try bonus point at Camborne in their opening match last week and are likely to prove a handful, especially on home turf.
“They are everything that you want from a pack – aggressive, confrontational and in your face – if you don’t match that then you are going to come off second best,” Price said.
“That’s what’s disappointing. We pride ourselves on our scrum and our pack and when that doesn’t work it’s disappointing.”
There were positives for Bournville in defeat, notably a hat-trick on competitive debut from wing Dan Rundle and the performance of Joe Nellany, who helped to transform Bournville’s game when he came on at fly-half midway through the second-half.
“Dan has scored three tries when we didn’t have a lot of ball to launch off which shows how classy he is,” Price said.
“I’m really pleased for him. He was disappointed not to start last week but his attitude in training and the way he has been has been superb.
“So I’m glad he’s done really well today and scored those three tries.
“We know what Joe can do. He’s electric, he makes things happen out of nothing. I’m pleased that he ignited a backline that didn’t have a lot of great ball.”
