OLD REDCLIFFIANS 22
BOURNVILLE 18 Bourns will be frustrated with this narrow loss as they visited the West Country for the first time this season to play at Old Redcliffians. Bourns elected to play down the slope in the first half, however found themselves having to defend for the most part with flanker Chris Idehen excelling in the tackle department. Bourns line out had a bad day at the office giving the home side more possession than they should have had, but the scrum got stronger and stronger which kept Bourns in the game. Reds scored after 13 minutes following a line out on halfway and after several phases, their backs created a try out wide for the left wing. The lead was stretched to 8 points after an offside in front of the posts, but Bourns responded with a penalty of their own by Jacob Fewtrell to cut the home side lead to 8-3. In injury time at the end of the half, Bourns ran out of numbers as the 12 had a walk in under the posts to make the half time score 15-3. Bourns made some changes and started well after the resumption and forced an early Fewtrell penalty. The only time the Bourns defence will reflect upon was the third Reds try where the right wing bounced off several tackles to touch down for a converted try five minutes later. Lock Nick Murphy took a team yellow card as Bourns battled to keep the home forwards out, but that storm was weathered and the last quarter was all Bourns as the team finally got some momentum going and created chances with wing Nathan Decalmer being hauled down on several occasions as the home defence scrambled. There was a bizarre passage of play for about 10 minutes just after the home replacement scrum half was carded for a high tackle. Bourns dominance at scrum time was evident for all to see. Three five meter scrums were driven over the line where the home side infringed, however the official was reluctant to award a penalty try. On the fourth attempt the ball was slipped to Rhys Williams who had come on for Jacob and he scored the try and Ben Pitt converted. Ben struck a penalty attempt on the 22 just wide, but that disappointment fuelled more attacks and Ben Pitt dummied over from close range but could not convert, making it 22-18. There was plenty of stoppage time and Bourns camped in the Reds 22, but could not get over the line, but they took a losing bonus point. Bourns need to play better for longer periods in games as the team possess the talent to score tries. Reds play an open game at speed but other than one bad set in defence, there wasn’t going to be too many breaches in the Bourns wall of defence. Next up are unbeaten Luctonians at home who have had eye catching results so far this season.Through the Viewfinder
Lee Sullivan
That was one of the strangest Saturdays I have had for a while.
A huge detour just to get on the M50 Jnct 1 following what appears to have been a nasty and prolonged RTA. Then the motorway slowed to a crawl at Jnct 13 to 14. I was also ill, so a quick call into the first shop that could supply a drink and a bag to throw up into (thanks to M&S Bristol Avonmead Simply Food for the free bag) and we carry on. Got there with 10 mins to spare.
I heard that the 1st team only arrived with 45mins to prepare, so we can forgive the first half. A HUGE improvement in the 2nd half plus an attempt for an entry in to the Guinness Book of Records for time taken to award a penalty try. We didn’t get one.
Weather wasn’t quite the ‘sunny with a bit of cloud’ that had been reported, so there’s my main excuse ticked – poor light.
So here are a few (31) photos from the day.
Sully : Bournville’s always friendly (and free) photographer