Nellany’s return a boost for Bournville

Joe Nellany’s cameo performance off the bench at Dings Crusaders provided Bournville with one positive from a heavy 59-10 defeat.

It was the utility back’s first senior appearance for the club in almost seven years, an absence explained by a series of injuries.

Nellany is a former captain of Warwick School who joined the Worcester Warriors Academy and had a spell on a dual registration with Coventry in National One in 2012 as well as spell with Darlington Mowden Park.

Nellany also played for Leeds University from 2013 to 2017 and produced an impressive show reel from his time playing BUCS Super Rugby there. He also played for Leeds Carnegie Academy while he was studying in Yorkshire.

Nellany first spell with Bournville consisted of three appearances at the start of the 2017/18 season in Midlands Premier but his career then stalled because of injury.

He returned to Avery Fields at the start of this season and, having regained form and fitness by playing regularly for the Blues in the Midlands Reserve Leagues First Division, Nellany played the final 27 minutes of the defeat by Dings at Shaftesbury Park with his left leg heavily strapped.

Although the result was decided long before Nellany came on he took the opportunity to show his skills, helping to set up Owen Williams’ try with a well-timed pass.

“Joe is a very skilful player but he’s had a real tough time with injuries,” Price said.

“He’s just coming back now. But when he is on the front foot he’s a dangerous, skilful player who will spot a gap and ghost through it and put other people through it.

“He’s a nice option to have in that fly-half space and I was glad he got minutes at Dings.”

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