The final scoreline does not give an accurate reflection of just how close Bournville came to leaving Scotland Lane with a bonus point win on the road.
Bourns had Old Redcliffians rattled when they went into the break with a ten points lead and although they saw that eroded then erased in the second-half they probably deserved to head home with more than a point.
As it Hinckley two weeks previously, yellow cards hurt Bournville with Callum Nicholls, Adam Collingwood and Will Tanner all spending time on the naughty step with two periods of two minutes each when Bourns were down to 13 men.
Old Redcliffians were quick to make their numerical advantage count but there were also fortunate to only receive one yellow card themselves when they gave away a succession of penalties in the red zone when Bournville laid siege to the line at the death in a desperate attempt to secure a losing bonus point.
It was a game that Bourns will feel that they could and, perhaps, should have won. Instead it will go down as another brave effort in defeat although another bonus point on the road, particularly at a ground where few teams enjoy visiting, ensured some reward for a whole-hearted performance.
In what was a huge shift from the whole 20-man squad there were some stand-out individual contributions. Cam Smith suffered a hamstring injury in the early exchanges but, having had his right leg mummified in bandages, he turned the offer to be substituted and scored two tries.
Sam Peppitt defended and attacked intelligently with Nicholls, Jamie Harding and Harry Sigley all carrying powerfully to ensure that Old Reds were fully stretched before they were able to celebrate victory.
Bourns again made an excellent start with Smith finding space to cross for the opener after four minutes and Jacob Fewtrell adding the extras.
But Old Reds were level again within three minutes with scrum-half Andy Butler rounding off a swift counter-attack and fly-half Zac Tomlin landing the first of his seven conversions.
Fewtrell restored Bourns’ advantage with an 11th minutes penalty but Old Reds then scored two tries in the space of three minutes with a poor kick from defence giving the Bristol-based club the opportunity to counter and for centre Jamil Hamilton to touch down.
Old Reds scored again from the re-start with Butler finding a huge gap in the middle of the pitch to open up an 11 points lead.
But Bourns tightened things up in defence and hit back with 21 points in the next 20 minutes.
Peppitt capitalised after Old Reds lost possession when they tried to attack from deep, Smith got his second try after a powerful run from Harding and excellent support from Joe Jenkins and Harding scored himself in first-half injury time which secured the try bonus point.
Old Reds had the slope, which they play so well, in their favour in the second-half and they reduced Bourns’ lead with a penalty to the corner and a try from wing Renico Bailey.
Nicholls was then sent to the sin-bin for coming in at the side of a driving maul and Old Reds went ahead from a driving maul from the resulting kick to the corner.
Smallwood then departed for ten minutes for a high tackle and Old Reds again capitalised with a close range try after Bourns were penalised at a scrum.
When Bourns were back to 15 men they managed to put Old Reds under pressure with Mikey Ho being hauled down just short of the line. But Tanner’s yellow card, after a flare-up on Bourns’ 22, again opened the door for Old Reds with full-back Finn Murphy crossing.
Bourns again showed character and resilience by driving Old Reds back from an attacking lineout with Ben Meakin getting the try but further pressure at the death went unrewarded.
*Bournville Blues also secured a try bonus point from their 64-28 defeat against Birmingham & Solihull in Counties Two Midlands West (East).
Through the viewfinder
A few photos of the game
Sully, Bournville’s always friendly (and free) photographer
